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St. Ives
St. Ives

Chapter I · A Tale of a Lion Rampant

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Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.
My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.
Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.
Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.
My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.
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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.

St. Ives

Chapter I · A Tale of a Lion Rampant

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.
Line 2
My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.
Line 3
Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.
Line 4
Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.
Line 5
My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.

Learner Dictionary

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

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.”

Ignorant noun US /ˈignorant/

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

From this reading “Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.”

Relieved noun US /ˈrelieved/

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

From this reading “Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.”

All words in this reading · 86

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

1813

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

accident

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

all

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

bear

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

From this reading My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.

business

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

cannot

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

cast

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

Castle

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

certain

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

city

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

conceive

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

disgusting

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

Edinburgh

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

employment

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

enemy

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

English

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

extraordinary

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

fall

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

fellow-sufferers

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

fellows

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

hanged

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

held

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

helped

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

From this reading My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.

hundred

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

ignorantnounUS /ˈignorant/

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

incur

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

knowledge

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

language

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

like

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

marked

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

materially

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

From this reading My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

midst

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

month

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

more

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

now

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

From this reading My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

out

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

From this reading My knowledge of the English language had marked me out for a certain employment.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

plain

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

prisoner

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

privates

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

refusing

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

relievednounUS /ˈrelieved/

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

risk

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

rock

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

scrape

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

From this reading My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.

several

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

soldier

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

spy

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

summit

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

unlucky

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

very

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

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

war

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

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was in the month of May 1813 that I was so unlucky as to fall at last into the hands of the enemy.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading My English, which had brought me into that scrape, now helped me very materially to bear it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Into the Castle of Edinburgh, standing in the midst of that city on the summit of an extraordinary rock, I was cast with several hundred fellow-sufferers, all privates like myself, and the more part of them, by an accident, very ignorant, plain fellows.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Though I cannot conceive a soldier refusing to incur the risk, yet to be hanged for a spy is a disgusting business; and I was relieved to be held a prisoner of war.