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The Pilgrim's Shell
The Pilgrim's Shell

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The Pilgrim's Shell
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AZENOR THE PALE.
A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.
The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.
It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.
The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.
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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 V

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AZENOR THE PALE.
Line 2
A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.
Line 3
The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.
Line 4
It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.
Line 5
The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

Learner Dictionary

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

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.”

Precious adjective US /ˈpreʃəs/

rare and worth a great deal

From this reading “The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

alcove

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

annex

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

arms

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

attributed

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

AZENOR

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

From this reading AZENOR THE PALE.

basement

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

bottom

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

built

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

chamber

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

charged

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

color

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

concubine

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

corners

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

cross

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

donjon

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

door

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

failed

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

four

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

fruits

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

gathered

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

glow

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

illuminated

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

internally

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

led

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

lights

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

lookout

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

manor

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

mass

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

men

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

mistress

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

narrow

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

Neroweg

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

night

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

objects

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

PALE

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

From this reading AZENOR THE PALE.

passing

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

platform

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

Plouernel

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/

rare and worth a great deal

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

raids

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

rose

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

seigneur

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

From this reading The seigneur of Plouernel had gathered in the chamber of his mistress a mass of precious objects, the fruits of his raids.

sinister

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

situated

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

sorceries

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

spiral

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

staircase

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

stone

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

story

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

surmounted

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AZENOR THE PALE.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A narrow spiral staircase, built of stone, led from the bottom of the basement to the platform that surmounted the donjon of the manor of Plouernel.

turret

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

turrets

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

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

VI

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.

whispered

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

window

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

From this reading It was whispered that the narrow window of that turret seemed internally illuminated at night by a glow of the color of blood, and these sinister lights were attributed to the sorceries of Azenor the Pale, the concubine of Neroweg VI.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The men at arms, charged with the lookout on the platform, never failed to cross themselves when passing the door of an alcove, situated on the last story of the donjon, that had for its annex one of the turrets that rose from the four corners of the platform.