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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
abstraction
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From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
Back
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From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
barons
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From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
cause
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From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
claim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
defiance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
dismiss
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From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
doubtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
dreamy
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From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
Duke
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From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
ear
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From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
enforce
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From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
Europe
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From this reading Hero of Europe: for thy cause is won!
expedition
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From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
Fitzosborne
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From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
gloomy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
hazardous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
Hero
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From this reading Hero of Europe: for thy cause is won!
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
Hugues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hero of Europe: for thy cause is won!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
Lanfranc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
Lanfranc's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
Lombard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
Maigrot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
monk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
Norman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
reverie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
stirring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
suffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
threats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading Hero of Europe: for thy cause is won!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
unsuccessful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
wholly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Back went Hugues Maigrot, the monk, to William, and told the reply of Harold to the Duke, in the presence of Lanfranc.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
won
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hero of Europe: for thy cause is won!
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So great was his abstraction, that he suffered the Lombard to dismiss the monk without a word spoken by him; and he was first startled from his reverie by Lanfranc’s pale hand on his vast shoulder, and Lanfranc’s low voice in his dreamy ear:
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading William himself heard it in gloomy silence, for Fitzosborne as yet had been wholly unsuccessful in stirring up the Norman barons to an expedition so hazardous, in a cause so doubtful; and though prepared for the defiance of Harold, the Duke was not prepared with the means to enforce his threats and make good his claim.
