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The Golden Arm
The Golden Arm

Chapter III

Chapter 3, section 1: So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, an
Context Illustration Reading 1/86 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.
After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”
So she brought it and put it on the table before him.
Then he said: “Sing!” and the golden harp sang most beautifully.
And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Golden Arm

Chapter III

Reading 1/86 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.
Line 2
After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”
Line 3
So she brought it and put it on the table before him.
Line 4
Then he said: “Sing!” and the golden harp sang most beautifully.
Line 5
And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

ogre noun US /ˈoʊɡər/

a cruel wicked and inhuman person

From this reading “So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.”

Collocations
So theA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
the ogreA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 67

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

asleep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

ate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

beautifully

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then he said: “Sing!” and the golden harp sang most beautifully.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading So she brought it and put it on the table before him.

breakfast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

bring

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading So she brought it and put it on the table before him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

called

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

commenced

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

copper

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

cupboards

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

didn't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

fell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

get

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

golden

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

harp

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

he'd

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading So she brought it and put it on the table before him.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

larder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

luckily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then he said: “Sing!” and the golden harp sang most beautifully.

mutter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

now

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

ogrenounUS /ˈoʊɡər/

a cruel wicked and inhuman person

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading So she brought it and put it on the table before him.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

put

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So she brought it and put it on the table before him.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then he said: “Sing!” and the golden harp sang most beautifully.

sang

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then he said: “Sing!” and the golden harp sang most beautifully.

sat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

search

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So she brought it and put it on the table before him.

Sing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then he said: “Sing!” and the golden harp sang most beautifully.

singing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

snore

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

sworn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

table

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So she brought it and put it on the table before him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

thundernounUS /ˈthunder/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

Well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.

Wife

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After breakfast was over, the ogre called out: “Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp.”

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter: “Well, I could have sworn----” and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards, and everything, only luckily he didn't think of the copper.