adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
breastnounUS /brest/
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
breastpiece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
breathnounUS /breθ/
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
captivitynounUS /kæpˈtɪvəti/
the state of being imprisoned
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
d'Agen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
daylightnounUS /ˈdeɪlaɪt/
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
dizzilyadverb
in a giddy light-headed manner
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
gruffadjectiveUS /ɡrʌf/
brusque and surly and forbidding
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
honestlyadverbUS /ˈɑːnəstli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
horsemennounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
incommoded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
injurynounUS /ˈɪndʒəri/
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
kneenounUS /niː/
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
lossnounUS /lɔːs/
something that is lost
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
MnounUS /em/
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
obeyverbUS /oʊˈbeɪ/
be obedient to
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
preparedadjectiveUS /priˈperd/
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/
the possibility of future success
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/
one of four equal parts
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
receiveverbUS /rəˈsiːv/
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
reeledverbUS /riːld/
past form of “reel” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
ResigningverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
savedadjectiveUS /seɪvd/
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
skirmishnounUS /ˈskɜːrmɪʃ/
a minor short-term fight
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
squeezedverbUS /skwiːzd/
past form of “squeeze” — to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
sufficientlyadverbUS /səˈfɪʃəntli/
to a sufficient degree
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
swordnounUS /sɔːrd/
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
syncopenounUS /ˈsɪnkəpiː/
a spontaneous loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood to the brain
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, with a man’s knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
varlet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
wardingverbUS /ˈwɔːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “ward” — watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask for quarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had taken me in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight.
whispernounUS /ˈwɪspər/
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading But the man whose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in a gruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
worstnounUS /wɜːrst/
the least favorable outcome
From this reading It was M. d’Agen’s breastpiece saved my life by warding off the point of the varlet’s sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss of my breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind of syncope.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The sky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men’s figures loomed gigantic; yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that matters might well be worse.
