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Over the Border: A Romance
Over the Border: A Romance

Chapter XXXI · Accomplishment

Cover illustration for Over the Border: A Romance
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.
A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.
That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.
Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.
He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.
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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.

Over the Border: A Romance

Chapter XXXI · Accomplishment

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.
Line 2
A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.
Line 3
That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.
Line 4
Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.
Line 5
He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

Learner Dictionary

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

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.”

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.”

All words in this reading · 106

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 As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

advancing

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

air

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

all

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

amused

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

approached

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

barred

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

bearing

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

beheld

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

boldly

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

Border

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

came

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

cap

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

carelessly

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

carried

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

Castle

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

caught

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

caused

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

closed

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

company

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

concealed

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

dared

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

Doubtless

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

evening

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

eyes

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

fear

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

flag

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

gates

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

gave

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

glittering

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

guarded

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

guise

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

home

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

horse

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

horseman

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

incredible

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

indifference

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

land

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

lips

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

lone

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

man

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

misleading

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

most

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

napping

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

noted

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

old

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

orders

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

parley

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

precaution

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

ride

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

Roundhead

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

Royalist

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

rub

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

Scottish

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

set

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

sight

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

sitting

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

smile

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

soil

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

somewhere

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

steel

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

stronghold

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

surprises

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

thus

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

Traquair

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

trooper

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

From this reading A horseman bearing the guise of a Roundhead trooper, his steel cap glittering, approached the ancient stronghold.

truce

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

From this reading Doubtless this lone trooper had a company concealed somewhere, and was advancing to parley, although he carried no flag of truce.

warder

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading That such a man dared set foot on Scottish soil and ride thus boldly to the home of the most noted Royalist on the Border seemed incredible, but the warder was not to be caught napping, and he gave orders that the gates be closed and guarded, for the Border was ever a land of surprises, and one must take all precaution.

way

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

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading As evening drew on, the old warder of Traquair Castle beheld a sight that caused him to rub his eyes in the fear that they were misleading him.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He came on with a fine air of indifference, and stopped when he found his way barred, sitting carelessly on his horse with an amused smile on his lips.