used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
cantered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
clattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
clumpsnounUS /klʌmps/
plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
cobble-paved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
drawbridgenounUS /ˈdrɔːbrɪdʒ/
a bridge that can be raised to block passage or to allow boats or ships to pass beneath it
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
divisible by two
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
farewellsnounUS /ˌferˈwelz/
plural of “farewell” — an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
gatewaynounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪ/
an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
highwaysnounUS /ˈhaɪweɪz/
plural of “highway” — a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
journey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
Landport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
an old word for “no”
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
PortsmouthnounUS /ˈpɔːrtsməθ/
a port city in southeastern Virginia on the Elizabeth River opposite Norfolk; naval base; shipyards
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
Punctuallyadverb
at the expected or proper time
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
on the contrary
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
red-tiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
reinverbUS /reɪn/
control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
the season of growth
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
steedsnounUS /stiːdz/
plural of “steed” — (literary) a spirited horse for state of war
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
timberedadjective
furnished with or made of wood or timbers
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The fine spring morning told on our spirits and we were in good humour.
in the direction of
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
verdantadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrdənt/
characterized by abundance of verdure
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The horses’ hoofs echoed under the dark gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall trees that even now were beginning to burst into leaf.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Punctually to the minute our steeds were brought round, the farewells were said, and with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate.
wot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were each armed with sword and pistols, for the highways were far from safe, and we wot not what awaited us at our journey’s end.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Conversation, mingled with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would have imagined we were setting out for a holiday rather than on an expedition on which fortune, nay life and death, depended.
