used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
befallverbUS /bɪˈfɔːl/
become of; happen to
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
GERVASE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
engage in
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
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 Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
numbadjectiveUS /nʌm/
lacking sensation
From this reading Their souls were numb.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
RichmondnounUS /ˈrɪtʃmənd/
capital of the state of Virginia located in the east central part of the state; was capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Their souls were numb.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading GERVASE and Anne had been taken the previous evening from Richmond to the Tower.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Gervase was better able now to prepare himself for the grim fate that too surely awaited him.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Both these children of destiny had had many weeks in which to make ready for that which was now to befall them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were placed in a prison as dismal as on that occasion of their first meeting, which now seemed so far away in the past.
