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No Quarter!
No Quarter!

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for No Quarter!
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.
But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

No Quarter!

Chapter VI

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
Line 2
Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
Line 3
Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.
Line 4
But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
Line 5
At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.”

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."”

Bitterly adverb US /ˈbɪtərli/

in a way that shows deep pain or grief

From this reading “At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

admittance

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

bitterlyadverbUS /ˈbɪtərli/

in a way that shows deep pain or grief

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

brief

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

Bristol

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

cadgers

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

called

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

city's

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

cold

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

dark

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

From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.

description

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

donkey

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

down

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

drawbridge

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

enceinte

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

eyes

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

fortifications

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

gate

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

gave

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

Getting

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

guard-sergeant

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

hearing

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

held

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

high

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

humble

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

inquiry

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

lamp

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

lately

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

latter

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

light

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

man

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

mien

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

moat

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

Night

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

From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.

now

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

From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

overhead

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

phrase

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

pitch

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

From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.

portcullis

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

post

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

reasonable

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

repaired

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

request

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

revealing

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

see

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

seeking

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

sentry

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

set

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

shut

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

sight

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

soldierly

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

strengthened

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

then

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."

threw

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

towers

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

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

town

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

up

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

walled

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

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.

Woman

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

From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."