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Nisida: Celebrated Crimes
Nisida: Celebrated Crimes

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Nisida: Celebrated Crimes
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Nisida: Celebrated Crimes

Chapter II

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
Line 2
He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
Line 3
He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
Line 4
That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
Line 5
The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

Learner Dictionary

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

Enchantment noun US /ɪnˈtʃæntmənt/

a magic spell or the state caused by one

From this reading “That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.”

Fluttering verb US /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/

moving with quick light beats or trembles

From this reading “The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.”

Formidable adjective US /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/

very difficult to deal with or overcome

From this reading “One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.”

Retired verb US /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading “He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.”

All words in this reading · 93

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 He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

accompanied

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

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

also

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

any

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

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

bare

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

Bastiano

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

billows

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

brave

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

breeze

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

cast

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

chant

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

coast

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

concluding

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

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

courage

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

day

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

deep

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

diver

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

enchantmentnounUS /ɪnˈtʃæntmənt/

a magic spell or the state caused by one

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

enough

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

evening

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

features

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

feet

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

fire

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

flutteringverbUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/

moving with quick light beats or trembles

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/

very difficult to deal with or overcome

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

full

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

glances

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

globe

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

gloomier

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

hollow

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

instrument

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

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

laughing

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

light

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

lightly

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

like

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

looking

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

melodies

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

mockery

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

most

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

mournful

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

only

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

passion

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

plunging

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

reeds

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

rippled

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

rock

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

sadness

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

sang

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

scornful

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

sea

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

set

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

shed

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

slippery

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

song

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

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

stern

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

sun

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

upright

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

usual

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

voice

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

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.

waving

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

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.

women

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

From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.