Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The man-killers
The man-killers

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The man-killers
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The man-killers

Chapter V

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
Line 2
In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
Line 3
The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
Line 4
Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
Line 5
In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

Learner Dictionary

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

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

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

From this reading “In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.”

Retrieved verb US /rɪˈtriːvd/

Got or brought back something that was lost or hidden.

From this reading “THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.”

All words in this reading · 104

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 THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

almost

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

Apaches

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

backs

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

barons

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

BeneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

built

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

carried

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

case

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

castle

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

CASUIST

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

chimney

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

city

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

command

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

days

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

doorless

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

doorways

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

dug

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

enough

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

floor

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

fort

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

frontier

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

hills

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

House

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

huge

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

Indian

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

just

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

kitchen

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

level

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

like

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

loop-holes

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

loopholed

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

making

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

man

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

men's

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

mound

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

narrow

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

near

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

new

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

north

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

now

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

old

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

opening

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

partitions

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

pass

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

place

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

plain

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

port-holed

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

prehistoric

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

protect

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

quarried

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

retrievedverbUS /rɪˈtriːvd/

Got or brought back something that was lost or hidden.

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

robber

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

Rock

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

rocks

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

rooms

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

ruin

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

Scarboroughs

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

served

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

settlers

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

siege

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

solid

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

south

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

square

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

square-edged

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

stone

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

style

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

supply

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

top

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

tumbled

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

turned

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

From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.

two

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

walls

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

watchtower

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

water

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

well

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

From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.

white

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

From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.

wide

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

windowless

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

From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.

windows

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

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.