used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
altarsnounUS /ˈɔːltərz/
plural of “altar” — the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
happiness felt in a secure relationship
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
Capuana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
conferencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfərənsəz/
plural of “conference” — a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
erectedverbUS /ɪˈrektəd/
past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
at any time
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
fortificationsnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
many times at short intervals
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
gratefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtfəli/
with appreciation; in a grateful manner
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
highest in quality
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
of great significance or value
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
Isaac's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
held dear
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
MinervanounUS /məˈnɜːrvə/
(Roman mythology) goddess of wisdom; counterpart of Greek Athena
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
Miriam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
many times at short intervals
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
PortanounUS /ˈpɔːrtə/
an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
move stealthily
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
Totila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
Uliaris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
wall-protectress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
at the time that
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
