Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the state of being absent

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

anew

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

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

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

a quantity of no importance

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the two together, not just one

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

a city in northwestern Belgium that is connected by canal to the North Sea; in the 13th century it was a leading member of the Hanseatic League; the old city (known as the City of Bridges) is a popular tourist attraction

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

the capital and largest city of Belgium; seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

carefully weighed

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

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

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

a lawyer who pleads cases in court

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

a medieval country in northern Europe that included regions now parts of northern France and Belgium and southwestern Netherlands

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

many times at short intervals

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

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

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

the act of departing

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

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

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

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

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

incapable of being overcome or subdued

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

engage in

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

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

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

above and across; more than

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

expecting unquestioning obedience

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the possibility of future success

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

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

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

not used up

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

term of address for a man

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

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

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

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

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading They had, during the four months that they had been in Flanders, learned enough of the language to make themselves easily understood.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

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

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.

in or at the place that

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

which person or people

From this reading They felt that they were but wasting their time remaining before Oudenarde, where they were frequently offended by the overbearing manner of the Ghentois, who, on the strength of their defeat of the people of Bruges, considered themselves to be invincible.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They had paid visits to Brussels and other places of importance, and were likely to learn nothing from the events of the siege, which, they could already see, was not going to be attended with success.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was their first absence from home, and in the lack of all adventure and excitement, they would be glad to be back again.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading A CRUSHING DEFEAT The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph's counsel, for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together, and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months.