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The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1
The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 is here in full — 97 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.
Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.
Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.
Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.
From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 is here in full — 97 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.
Line 2
Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.
/eɪt taɪmz hæz ɪt dɪˈsendəd ənd eɪt taɪmz hæz ɪt ˈhɜːrid bæk wɪð ˈbroʊkən ˈpɪnjən/
Line 3
Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.
Line 4
Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.
Line 5
From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

duchy noun US /ˈdʌtʃi/

the domain controlled by a duke or duchess

From this reading “Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.”

embezzler noun US /ɪmˈbezələr/

someone who violates a trust by taking (money) for his own use

From this reading “Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.”

filibuster noun US /ˈfɪləbʌstər/

a legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposes

From this reading “From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.”

Gaul noun US /ɡɔːl/

a person of French descent

From this reading “From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.”

invasions noun US /ˌɪnˈveɪʒənz/

plural of “invasion” — the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder

From this reading “Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.”

Olivier noun US /ˌoʊˈlɪviːeɪ/

English actor best know for his Shakespearean roles (1907-1989)

From this reading “From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.”

pinion noun US /ˈpɪnjən/

a gear with a small number of teeth designed to mesh with a larger wheel or rack

From this reading “Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.”

truculent adjective US /ˈtrʌkjələnt/

defiantly aggressive

From this reading “Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.”

All words in this reading · 100

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adventureverbUS /ædˈventʃər/

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

agesnounUS /ˈeɪdʒəz/

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

attacknounUS /əˈtæk/

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

Bertrand

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

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

boldlyadverbUS /ˈboʊldli/

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

broods

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

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

CaesarnounUS /ˈsiːzər/

conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

Chaussey

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

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

conquerverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkər/

bring under control by force or authority

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

ConstablenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəbəl/

a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

Couperon

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

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

criminalsnounUS /ˈkrɪmənəlz/

plural of “criminal” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

Delagarde

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

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

descendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

devouringadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaʊərɪŋ/

(often followed by “for”) ardently or excessively desirous

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

dividingverbUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/

-ing form of “divide” — separate into parts or portions

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

du

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

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

duchynounUS /ˈdʌtʃi/

the domain controlled by a duke or duchess

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

EightadjectiveUS /eɪt/

being one more than seven

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

embezzlernounUS /ɪmˈbezələr/

someone who violates a trust by taking (money) for his own use

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

filibusternounUS /ˈfɪləbʌstər/

a legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposes

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

FrancenounUS /fræns/

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

freebooting

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

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

gallantadjectiveUS /ˈɡælənt/

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

gamblernounUS /ˈɡæmblər/

a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

GaulnounUS /ɡɔːl/

a person of French descent

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

gentlemennounUS /ˈdʒentəlmɪn/

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

Guesclin

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

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

hawknounUS /hɔːk/

diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

heightsnounUS /haɪts/

a high place

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

HenrynounUS /ˈhenri/

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

hoveredverbUS /ˈhʌvərd/

past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

IIInoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

invasionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪʒənz/

plural of “invasion” — the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

islandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

IslesnounUS /aɪlz/

plural of “isle” — a small island

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

JerseynounUS /ˈdʒɜːrzi/

a Mid-Atlantic state on the Atlantic; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

LenounUS /lə/

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

legionsnounUS /ˈliːdʒənz/

plural of “legion” — archaic terms for army

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

missionnounUS /ˈmɪʃən/

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

motleynounUS /ˈmɑːtli/

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

NormandynounUS /ˈnɔːrməndi/

a former province of northwestern France on the English channel; divided into Haute-Normandie and Basse-Normandie

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

OliviernounUS /ˌoʊˈlɪviːeɪ/

English actor best know for his Shakespearean roles (1907-1989)

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

pinionnounUS /ˈpɪnjən/

a gear with a small number of teeth designed to mesh with a larger wheel or rack

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

ruffiannoun

a cruel and brutal fellow

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

Rullecour

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

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

seanounUS /siː/

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/

in secrecy; not openly

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

signalnounUS /ˈsɪɡnəl/

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

soldiernounUS /ˈsoʊldʒər/

an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

spiritedadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtɪd/

displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

standverbUS /stænd/

be standing; be upright

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

stripverbUS /strɪp/

take away possessions from someone

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

summonverbUS /ˈsʌmən/

call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

traitornounUS /ˈtreɪtər/

someone who betrays his country by committing treason

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

truculentadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌkjələnt/

defiantly aggressive

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Among these truculent invasions two stand out boldly: the spirited and gallant attack by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France; and the freebooting adventure of Rullecour, with his motley following of gentlemen and criminals.

unconquerableadjective

not capable of being conquered or vanquished or overcome

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

warnounUS /wɔːr/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Since the days of Henry III of England the hawk of war that broods in France has hovered along that narrow strip of sea dividing the island of Jersey from the duchy of Normandy.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading From the Chaussey Isles the filibuster saw the signal light which the traitor Olivier Delagarde had set upon the heights of Le Couperon, where, ages ago, Caesar built fires to summon from Gaul his devouring legions.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Rullecour it was, soldier of fortune, gambler, ruffian, and embezzler, to whom the King of France had secretly given the mission to conquer the unconquerable little island.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Eight times has it descended, and eight times has it hurried back with broken pinion.

Chapter 3 of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 by Gilbert Parker holds 97 sentences, grouped into 20 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 3 of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 contain?

Chapter 3 holds 97 sentences of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 by Gilbert Parker exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 97 sentences, grouped into 20 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 3 of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1?

Work through the 20 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 20 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1

Common questions about reading The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 by Gilbert Parker on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1?

Yes. All 1114 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6230 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6230, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 take to read?

About 92 minutes of reading across 223 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 section by section

How to work through The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

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    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

World
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Coast
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Jersey
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Treacherous
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Battle of the Strong — Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.