adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
addressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
admittedverbUS /ədˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I asked her how many they mustered.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
attacknounUS /əˈtæk/
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
badenounUS /beɪd/
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
BandnounUS /bænd/
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
barricadedadjectiveUS /ˈbærəkeɪdɪd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
Boisrueil's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
breastnounUS /brest/
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
confessverbUS /kənˈfes/
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
dieverbUS /daɪ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
earnestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
effectualadjective
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
gatenounUS /ɡeɪt/
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
grantverbUS /ɡrænt/
let have
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
GreatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
hagnounUS /hæɡ/
an ugly evil-looking old woman
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
hangverbUS /hæŋ/
be suspended or hanging
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I asked her how many they mustered.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
impotentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmpətənt/
lacking power or ability
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
inasmuch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading I asked her how many they mustered.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
midnightnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
musteredverbUS /ˈmʌstərd/
past form of “muster” — gather or bring together
From this reading I asked her how many they mustered.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
ragenounUS /reɪdʒ/
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
rearwardadjective
located in or toward the back or rear
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
scorchverbUS /skɔːrtʃ/
make very hot and dry
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
sternlyadverbUS /ˈstɜːrnli/
with sternness; in a severe manner
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
surmisesnounUS /sərˈmaɪzɪz/
plural of “surmise” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
tellingadjectiveUS /ˈtelɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I asked her how many they mustered.
threatnounUS /θret/
something that is a source of danger
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
tonenounUS /toʊn/
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
truthnounUS /truːθ/
a fact that has been verified
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
uglyadjectiveUS /ˈʌɡli/
displeasing to the senses
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
unmovedadjectiveUS /ənˈmuːvd/
emotionally unmoved
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
utteredadjectiveUS /ˈʌtərd/
communicated in words
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The promise found her unmoved, but the threat, uttered in a tone which showed that I was in earnest, proved more effectual.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The rearward gate had been barricaded that afternoon by the Great Band, who had had notice of our coming, and intended to attack us at midnight.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With an ugly look, under which my men shrank as if her eye had power to scorch them, the hag said that she would confess, and, with impotent rage, admitted the truth of Boisrueil's surmises.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I bade them put the woman forward first, and addressed her sternly, telling her that I knew all, and that she would do well to confess; inasmuch as if she made a clean breast of the matter, I would grant her her life, and if she did not, she would be the first to die, since I would hang her were a single shot fired against the house.
