Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
Amphion
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From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
Apollo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
Apollo's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
build
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
carry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
cherished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
crept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
deeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
dreaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
eager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
equal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
Eurydice
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From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
failure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
fame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
feared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
fireside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
gates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
gods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
Greece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
hero-tales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
imitate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
immortaladjUS /ɪˈmɔːr.t̬əl/
Living forever; never dying or decaying. (Bất tử, trường tồn vĩnh cửu.)
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
king
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
lyre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
Many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/
causing or relating to death
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
musician
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
musicians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
Neptune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
obedient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
Orpheus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
perform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
popular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
presumed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
prove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
publicly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
ridicule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
skill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
spell
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From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So no mortal ever presumed to say that he could make rocks and stones obedient to the spell of his music.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
StorynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was eager to build a high wall around Thebes, and to build it as Apollo did the wall of Troy; so when the sun set, and darkness crept over the earth, Amphion stood just outside the city gates and began to play on his lyre.
sung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
test
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
Thebes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
Troy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
unwise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
vie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice The deeds of the immortal gods were told and sung at every fireside in Greece; and among these hero-tales there was none more popular than the story of how Apollo built for Neptune the famous wall of Troy.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was, however, one musician, Amphion, king of Thebes, who was anxious to prove that his playing was equal to Apollo's, but knowing how unwise it was to vie with an immortal, he determined not to test his skill publicly, but to carry out his cherished plan at night, when men were dreaming in their beds.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Many musicians would have been glad to perform a similar service for the mere fame that it would bring them, but they feared that the attempt to imitate Apollo would only result in failure and ridicule.
