1353
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
AmidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
Bertrand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
Blois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
BretonnounUS /ˈbretən/
a native or inhabitant of Brittany (especially one who speaks the Breton language)
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
BrittanynounUS /ˈbrɪtəni/
a former province of northwestern France on a peninsula between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
Charles'snounUS /ˈtʃɑːrlzɪz/
possessive form of “charles” — King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
claimantsnounUS /ˈkleɪmənts/
plural of “claimant” — someone who claims a benefit or right or title
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
comradenounUS /ˈkɑːmræd/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
countlessadjectiveUS /ˈkaʊntləs/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
deepeningnounUS /ˈdiːpənɪŋ/
a process of becoming deeper and more profound
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
defendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈfendɪŋ/
attempting to or designed to prevent an opponent from winning or scoring
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
DuchynounUS /ˈdʌtʃi/
the domain controlled by a duke or duchess
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
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 A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
Gaspard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
ghost-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
depressingly dark
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
glow-worms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
Guesclin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
of great significance or value
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
knightsnounUS /naɪts/
plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
MontfortnounUS /ˈmɑːntfərt/
an English nobleman who led the baronial rebellion against Henry III (1208-1265)
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
Rennes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
roguesnounUS /roʊɡz/
plural of “rogue” — a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
shimmeredverbUS /ˈʃɪmərd/
past form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
sidedverbUS /ˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “side” — take sides for or against
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
spangledadjectiveUS /ˈspæŋɡəld/
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
carry out
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Amid the great struggle between France and England, the rival claimants of the Duchy of Brittany, Charles of Blois and Earl de Montfort, had got up a little private war of their own.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
at the time that
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
a Caucasian
From this reading So spoke a Breton soldier to his comrade, as they stood on the walls of Rennes on a gloomy November evening in 1353, looking down on the countless white tents that shimmered ghost-like through the deepening gloom, and the lights that spangled the blackness like huge glow-worms.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Most of the leading Breton knights (including Bertrand du Guesclin) supported Charles’s cause, while England sided with the Earl; and Rennes being the most important town that held out for Charles, the English were doing their best to take it, though as yet in vain.
wolvesnounUS /wʊlvz/
plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading A Night Alarm “Well, friend Gaspard, if these English wolves have the better of us in the open field, we are as good as they when it comes to defending towns.
but in spite of that
From this reading Six months, and better, have the rogues lain before our town, and not got it yet.”
