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The Monastery
The Monastery

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The Monastery is here in full — 401 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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[Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.
If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.
This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.
Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.
They are my guides and outlaws.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Monastery

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The Monastery is here in full — 401 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
[Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.
Line 2
If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.
Line 3
This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.
Line 4
Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.
Line 5
They are my guides and outlaws.
/ðeɪ ɑːr maɪ ɡaɪdz ənd ˈaʊtlɔːz/

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.

atonement noun US /əˈtoʊnmənt/

compensation for a wrong

From this reading “[Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.”

defaulter noun US /dɪˈfɔːltər/

someone who fails to make a required appearance in court

From this reading “If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.”

infamy noun US /ˈɪnfəmi/

a state of extreme dishonor

From this reading “This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.”

laxity noun US /ˈlæksəti/

the condition of being physiologically lax

From this reading “[Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.”

observers noun US /əbˈzɜːrvərz/

plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading “[Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.”

outlaws noun US /ˈaʊtlɔːz/

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

From this reading “They are my guides and outlaws.”

Scots noun US /skɑːts/

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading “If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.”

trusts noun US /trʌsts/

plural of “trust” — something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading “Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.”

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

accountedverbUS /əˈkaʊntɪd/

past form of “account” — be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

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 This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading They are my guides and outlaws.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

atonementnounUS /əˈtoʊnmənt/

compensation for a wrong

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/

reveal unintentionally

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

BordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

Border-meeting

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

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

Borderers

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

bringverbUS /brɪŋ/

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/

lacking funds

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

carenounUS /ker/

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

clansmen

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

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

connectedadjectiveUS /kəˈnektɪd/

being joined in close association

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

ConstablenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəbəl/

a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

defaulternounUS /dɪˈfɔːltər/

someone who fails to make a required appearance in court

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

destroyedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɔɪd/

spoiled or ruined or demolished

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

disgraceverbUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/

bring shame or dishonor upon

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/

an opposing military force

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

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 If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/

the act of escaping physically

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

faithnounUS /feɪθ/

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

FootnotenounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊt/

a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

FrancenounUS /fræns/

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

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

glovenounUS /ɡlʌv/

the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/

coins made of gold

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

guidesnounUS /ɡaɪdz/

plural of “guide” — someone employed to conduct others

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

hungverbUS /hʌŋ/

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

individualadjectiveUS /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəl/

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

infamynounUS /ˈɪnfəmi/

a state of extreme dishonor

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

laxitynounUS /ˈlæksəti/

the condition of being physiologically lax

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

moralsnounUS /ˈmɔːrəlz/

motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading They are my guides and outlaws.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

observersnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvərz/

plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

occasionsnounUS /əˈkeɪʒənz/

something you have to do

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

outlawsnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔːz/

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

From this reading They are my guides and outlaws.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

pledgedadjectiveUS /pledʒd/

bound by or as if by an oath

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

plighted

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

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

proclaimverbUS /proʊˈkleɪm/

declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

Ralph

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

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

Sadler

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

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

ScotsnounUS /skɑːts/

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

severeadjectiveUS /səˈvɪr/

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

spearnounUS /spɪr/

a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

spyverbUS /spaɪ/

catch sight of

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

stealverbUS /stiːl/

take without the owner's consent

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

talksnounUS /tɔːks/

a discussion intended to produce an agreement

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

thievesnounUS /θiːvz/

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

trustsnounUS /trʌsts/

plural of “trust” — something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading [Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, even to an enemy.

whompronounUS /huːm/

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

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading This was accounted so great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and English the name of the defaulter.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, whom he used as his guides:--“That they would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in France.

Chapter 12 of The Monastery by Walter Scott holds 401 sentences, grouped into 81 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 12 of The Monastery contain?

Chapter 12 holds 401 sentences of The Monastery, unabridged, divided into 81 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of The Monastery by Walter Scott exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 401 sentences, grouped into 81 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 12 of The Monastery?

Work through the 81 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 81 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 Monastery

Common questions about reading The Monastery by Walter Scott on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Monastery?

Yes. All 5194 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6406 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Monastery is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6406, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Monastery take to read?

About 432 minutes of reading across 1039 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Monastery section by section

How to work through The Monastery section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 13 chapters of The Monastery to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in The Monastery

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Monastery, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Waverly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Monastery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Novels
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Monastery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Walter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Monastery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Scott
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Monastery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.