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With Moore at Corunna
With Moore at Corunna

Chapter XVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.
The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.
The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.
Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.
Accordingly he commenced the attack on both wings.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

With Moore at Corunna

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.
Line 2
The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.
Line 3
The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.
Line 4
Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.
Line 5
Accordingly he commenced the attack on both wings.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.”

Summons noun US /ˈsʌmənz/

an official order to appear or respond

From this reading “The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.”

All words in this reading · 106

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 MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

Accordingly

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

From this reading Accordingly he commenced the attack on both wings.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

all

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

army

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

attack

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

away

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

bishop

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

boasting

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Accordingly he commenced the attack on both wings.

break

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

bridge

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

carefully

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

centre

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

city

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

command

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

commenced

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

From this reading Accordingly he commenced the attack on both wings.

Convent

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

cut

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

dark

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

defended

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

disregarding

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

division

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

drive

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

driven

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

easily

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

expected

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

feint

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

force

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

forces

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

generals

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

guns

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

heart

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

intentions

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

large

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

leaving

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

line

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

lost

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

made

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

MARY

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

massing

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

men

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

Merle's

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

NevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

night

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

number

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

O'CONNOR

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

off

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

Oporto

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

perfectly

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

Portuguese

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

position

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

prayers

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

prepared

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

pushed

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

quickly

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

real

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

rejecting

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

resist

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

retreat

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

ruin

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

seize

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

Serra

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

side

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

slipped

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

Soult

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

Soult's

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

straight

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

strong

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

succeeded

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/

an official order to appear or respond

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

then

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

thus

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The bishop, after rejecting Soult's summons and disregarding his prayers to save the city from ruin, suddenly lost heart, and after all his boasting, slipped away after dark to the Serra Convent, leaving the command to the generals of the army.

town

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

troops

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

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

vast

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

very

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading MARY O'CONNOR Never was a large force of men driven from a very strong position, carefully prepared and defended by a vast number of guns, so quickly and easily as were the Portuguese before Oporto.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Soult's real intentions, however, were to break through the centre of the line and then to drive the Portuguese right and left away from the town, while he pushed a body of troops straight through the city to seize the bridge and thus cut off all retreat.

wings

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

From this reading Accordingly he commenced the attack on both wings.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The feint which Soult had made with Merle's division the night before against the Portuguese left succeeded perfectly, the Portuguese massing their forces on that side to resist the expected attack.