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Under Two Flags
Under Two Flags

Chapter XXXIV

Cover illustration for Under Two Flags
Context Illustration Reading 1/63 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE DESERT HAWK AND THE PARADISE-BIRD.
Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.
They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.
Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.
Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.
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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.

Under Two Flags

Chapter XXXIV

Reading 1/63 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE DESERT HAWK AND THE PARADISE-BIRD.
Line 2
Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.
Line 3
They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.
Line 4
Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.
Line 5
Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.”

Camp noun US /camp/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

afar

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

Algeria

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

alien

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

also

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

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE DESERT HAWK AND THE PARADISE-BIRD.

Arab-like

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

aside

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

broad

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

camp

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

Cigarette

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

colors

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

decorated

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

decoration

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

DESERT

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

From this reading THE DESERT HAWK AND THE PARADISE-BIRD.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

England

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

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

far

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

flags

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

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

flickering

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

front

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

gayly

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

grand

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

ground

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

guests

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

HAWK

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

From this reading THE DESERT HAWK AND THE PARADISE-BIRD.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

looking

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

marquees

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

Marshal

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

number

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

obtained

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

other

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

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

PARADISE-BIRD

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

From this reading THE DESERT HAWK AND THE PARADISE-BIRD.

parted

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

provinces

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

saw

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

set

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

Some

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

southern

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

Spain

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

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

standard

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

standards

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

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

strip

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE DESERT HAWK AND THE PARADISE-BIRD.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

torchlight

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

Tricolor

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

twelve

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

From this reading They were twelve in number, gayly decorated--as far as decoration could be obtained in the southern provinces of Algeria--and had, Arab-like, in front of each the standard of the Tricolor.

two

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

From this reading Before one were two other standards also: the flags of England and of Spain.

unoccupied

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

wave

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

From this reading Cigarette, looking on from afar, saw the alien colors wave in the torchlight flickering on them.

way

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Some way distant, parted by a broad strip of unoccupied ground from the camp, were the grand marquees set aside for the Marshal and for his guests.