used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
Angelot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
approachesnounUS /əˈproʊtʃəz/
plural of “approach” — ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
ChâteaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
A large French country house or castle, often surrounded by expansive estates and private galleries.
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
courtsnounUS /kɔːrts/
plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
crowdingnounUS /ˈkraʊdɪŋ/
a situation in which people or things are crowded together
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
domainnounUS /doʊˈmeɪn/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
set up or found
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
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 Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
gendarmes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
high-piled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
Lancilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
moatnounUS /moʊt/
ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
not any; not one
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
SAINFOY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
shadowedadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊd/
filled with shade
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
confined on all sides
From this reading The old place was surrounded; numbers of servants, ranks of carriages, a few gendarmes and soldiers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
having come into contact
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Monsieur de Sainfoy kept up the old friendly fashion, and no gates shut off his neighbours from his domain.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
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 Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
in or at the place that
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Half the villages were there, too, crowding about the courts, under the walls, and pressing especially round the chief entrance on the west, where a bridge over the old moat led into a court surrounded with high-piled buildings, one stately roof rising above another.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Angelot came through the wood, which almost touched the house and shadowed the moat on the north side.
woodlandnounUS /ˈwʊdlænd/
land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading HOW MONSIEUR DE SAINFOY FOUND A WAY OUT If Angelot expected to find the usual woodland stillness, that night, about the approaches to the Château de Lancilly, he was mistaken.
