adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
advancedadjectiveUS /ədˈvænst/
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
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 The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
archersnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃərz/
plural of “archer” — a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
ardournoun
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
arrowsnounUS /ˈæroʊz/
plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
boltsnounUS /boʊlts/
plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
commandersnounUS /kəˈmændərz/
plural of “commander” — an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
cross-bow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
crossbow-men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
defences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
disgraceverbUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/
bring shame or dishonor upon
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
effortsnounUS /ˈefərts/
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtəd/
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
exhortationsnounUS /ˌeɡzɔːrˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “exhortation” — a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
killedverbUS /kɪld/
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
laddersnounUS /ˈlædərz/
plural of “ladder” — steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
massnounUS /mæs/
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
men-at-arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
numbersnounUS /ˈnʌmbərz/
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
pourverbUS /pɔːr/
cause to run
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
quicklimenoun
a white crystalline oxide used in the production of calcium hydroxide
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
scorenounUS /skɔːr/
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
secondedverbUS /ˈsekəndɪd/
past form of “second” — give support or one's approval to
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
successnounUS /səkˈses/
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
throngedadjectiveUS /θrɔːŋd/
filled with great numbers crowded together
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
utmostadjectiveUS /ˈʌtmoʊst/
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
valournoun
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
Vannes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
viedverbUS /vaɪd/
past form of “vie” — compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
weakadjectiveUS /wiːk/
wanting in physical strength
From this reading The assault was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed.
wipeverbUS /waɪp/
rub with a circular motion
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men vied with each other in the valour which they displayed.
