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The Strong Arm
The Strong Arm

Chapter V

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Context Illustration Reading 1/72 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.
He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.
The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.
If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.
It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Strong Arm

Chapter V

Reading 1/72 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.
Line 2
He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.
Line 3
The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.
Line 4
If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.
Line 5
It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

Learner Dictionary

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

DAGGER noun US /ˈdæɡ.ər/

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading “THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.”

Ebb noun US /ɛb/

the movement of the tide away from the land

From this reading “The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.”

Owing noun US /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

all

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

any

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

apparent

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

applied

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

Archbishops

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

army

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

building

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

city

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

Commander

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

commercial

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

control

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

DAGGERnounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

defeat

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

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

depressing

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

doubts

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

ebbnounUS /ɛb/

the movement of the tide away from the land

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

Empress

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

energy

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

enthusiasm

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

faith

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

five

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

flow

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

Forces

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

Frankfort

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

gates

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

gave

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

given

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

gravest

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

human

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

hundred

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

immured

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

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

Imperial

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

impossible

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

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

influence

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

intake

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

interference

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

keep

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

knew

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

lay

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

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

Lordships

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

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

material

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

meant

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

measure

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

men

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

more

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

NEEDLE

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

nucleus

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

output

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

owing

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

parties

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

possession

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

power

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

prison

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

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

prosperity

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

put

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

real

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

round

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

Schonburg

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

several

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

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

task

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

thousands

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

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

trade

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

traffic

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

travel

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

trusty

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

up

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

various

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

From this reading He first put parties of trusty men at the various city gates so that he might control, at least in a measure, the human intake and output of the city.

Von

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

well

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From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It would be impossible to keep secret the defeat of their Lordships, when several thousands of their men lay immured in the city prison.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The power which possession of the gates gave him he knew to be more apparent than real, for Frankfort was a commercial city, owing its prosperity to traffic, and any material interference with the ebb or flow of travel had a depressing influence on trade.

Wilhelm

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From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.

words

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading If the Archbishops meant to keep their words given to the Empress, all would be well, but of their good faith Wilhelm had the gravest doubts.

youth

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

From this reading THE NEEDLE DAGGER Wilhelm Von Schonburg, Commander of the Imperial Forces at Frankfort, applied himself to the task of building up an army round his nucleus of five hundred with all the energy and enthusiasm of youth.