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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
alighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I alighted, the musketeers closed round me.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
bars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
BASTILLE
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From this reading THE BASTILLE.
bolts
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From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
Brissac
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From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
chains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
clanking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I alighted, the musketeers closed round me.
custody
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
De
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
enclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
exchange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
fairly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
frowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
gateway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
governor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I alighted, the musketeers closed round me.
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
intervals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
jagged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
jarring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
malicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
massive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When I alighted, the musketeers closed round me.
musketeers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I alighted, the musketeers closed round me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
outline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
pavement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I alighted, the musketeers closed round me.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
swinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
sword
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BASTILLE.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
towers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
triumph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
undisguised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When I alighted, the musketeers closed round me.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We were under the shadow of an immense dark building, the massive outline of which was broken at intervals by eight round towers.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading A jagged gateway frowned above the carriage; there was a clanking of iron bars; a horrible jarring of bolts upon the pavement as an iron gate was opened and shut; a swinging of chains and exchange of papers as De Brissac gave my sword to the governor with a malicious and undisguised smile of triumph; and then I found myself in the custody of the Bastille--fairly enclosed within its walls.