Chapter XXV · How Roland Undertook to Carry Saragossa by Storm

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

later than; following

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

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

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

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

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

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

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

any of various naturally occurring impure mixtures of hydrocarbons

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

the act of burning something

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

plural of “catapult” — a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

a thin layer covering something

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

plural of “dagger” — a short knife with a pointed blade used for piercing or stabbing

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

people collectively who are crippled or otherwise physically handicapped

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

mark as different

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

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

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

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

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

unproductive of success

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

past form of “hack” — cut with a hacking tool

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

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

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

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

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

not admitting of penetration or passage into or through

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

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

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

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

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Roland lost patience.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

make reference to

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

used to form the superlative

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

inflected form of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

above and across; more than

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading Roland lost patience.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

past form of “repulse” — force or drive back

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

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

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

an ancient city on the Ebro River in northeastern Spain; formerly the capital of Aragon

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

the act of arranging in a graduated series

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

not in physical motion

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

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

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

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

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

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

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

up to a particular time

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

plural of “wall” — 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 The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

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

From this reading After three months spent in fruitless attacks, Saragossa still stood as strong as it was on the first day of the siege.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The scaling parties had been repulsed, and the stormers, hacked in pieces with daggers and lances, had been flung from the walls into the fosse, or fell among the flames of the raging fires--for burning pitch had been flung over the walls until it had covered them with a coating of bitumen as impenetrable as iron.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The catapults and balistæ had become disabled without making the slightest impression on the ramparts.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.

used when the people spoken to are both doing and receiving the action

From this reading IF, my young friends, I have for some few chapters omitted mention of Roland, don’t jump at the conclusion that he did not distinguish himself during the war in Spain, for he took the most notable part in it, as you may judge for yourselves.