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The Pilgrim's Shell
The Pilgrim's Shell

Chapter IV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/9 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MANOR OF PLOUERNEL.
The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.
The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.
Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.
These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Pilgrim's Shell

Chapter IV

Reading 1/9 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE MANOR OF PLOUERNEL.
Line 2
The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.
Line 3
The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.
Line 4
Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.
Line 5
These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading “These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.”

All words in this reading · 70

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

afar

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

band

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

From this reading Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.

bandits

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

bird

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

brow

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

castle

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

compelled

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

count

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

From this reading Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.

country

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

demanding

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

dominated

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

donjon

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

dues

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

espied

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

eyrie

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

ferocious

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

From this reading Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

habitually

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

horn

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

Immediately

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

From this reading Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.

like

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

MANOR

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

From this reading THE MANOR OF PLOUERNEL.

many

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

massacred

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

miles

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

moment

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

mountain

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

Neroweg

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MANOR OF PLOUERNEL.

often

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

passagenounUS /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

pay

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

pillaged

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

platform

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

PLOUERNEL

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

From this reading THE MANOR OF PLOUERNEL.

posted

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

prey

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

ransom

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

retreat

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

sally

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

From this reading Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.

satisfied

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

situated

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

somber

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

sounded

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

steep

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE MANOR OF PLOUERNEL.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

thievish

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

From this reading Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

tortured

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

traffic

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

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

travelers

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

troop

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

VI

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

From this reading The castle of Neroweg VI--a somber retreat, situated, like the eyrie of a bird of prey, on the brow of a steep mountain--dominated the country for many miles around.

watchman

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

From this reading The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading These bandits, not satisfied with demanding the dues of passage and traffic, habitually pillaged the travelers, often even massacred them, or took them to the castle to be tortured and compelled to pay ransom.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Immediately the band of the count, thievish and ferocious, would sally from the manor.