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Zicci: A Tale — Complete
Zicci: A Tale — Complete

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Zicci: A Tale — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.
One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.
One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?
Are you ill?
You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?
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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.

Zicci: A Tale — Complete

Chapter I

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.
Line 2
One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.
Line 3
One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?
Line 4
Are you ill?
Line 5
You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.”

Gentlemen noun US /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

abstracted

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

ails

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Are you ill?

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

back

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

century

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

chill

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

From this reading You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

conversation

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

countrymen

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

drinking

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

Englishman

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

enlivened

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

evening

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

favorite

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

few

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

five

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

four

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

gardens

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

gay

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

gloom

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

gloomy

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

Glyndon

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

group

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

grown

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

From this reading You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

ill

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

From this reading Are you ill?

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

indolent

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

intervals

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

listening

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

moments

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

music

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

Naples

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

observed

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

pale

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

From this reading You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

population

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

resort

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

revery

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

said

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

seated

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

sherbet

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

some

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

summer

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

sunk

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

tapping

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

tree

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

tremble

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

From this reading You have grown quite pale; you tremble: is it a sudden chill?

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In the gardens at Naples, one summer evening in the last century, some four or five gentlemen were seated under a tree drinking their sherbet and listening, in the intervals of conversation, to the music which enlivened that gay and favorite resort of an indolent population.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

whole

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.

why

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

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading One of his countrymen observed this sudden gloom, and tapping him on the back, said, "Glyndon, why, what ails you?

young

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

From this reading One of this little party was a young Englishman who had been the life of the whole group, but who for the last few moments had sunk into a gloomy and abstracted revery.