used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading They made their way across the arena and stopped before the emperor.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
arenanounUS /ərˈiːnə/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading They made their way across the arena and stopped before the emperor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
attendantsnounUS /əˈtendənts/
plural of “attendant” — someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They made their way across the arena and stopped before the emperor.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
ChristiansnounUS /ˈkrɪstʃənz/
plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
conductingnounUS /kənˈdʌktɪŋ/
the way of administering a business
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
consistingverbUS /kənˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “consist” — originate
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
defeatedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfiːtəd/
beaten or overcome; not victorious
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
being one more than seventeen
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading They made their way across the arena and stopped before the emperor.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
gladiatorialadjective
of or relating to or resembling gladiators or their combat
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
honoursnoun
a university degree with honors
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
JupiternounUS /ˈdʒuːpətər/
the largest planet and the 5th from the sun; has many satellites and is one of the brightest objects in the night sky
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
lionsnounUS /ˈlaɪənz/
plural of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
LupusnounUS /ˈluːpəs/
any of several forms of ulcerative skin disease
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They made their way across the arena and stopped before the emperor.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
NeronounUS /ˈnɪroʊ/
Roman Emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64) but the Roman Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
not in physical motion
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading They made their way across the arena and stopped before the emperor.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They made their way across the arena and stopped before the emperor.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They made their way across the arena and stopped before the emperor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The gladiatorial part of the show was now over, but there was greater excitement still awaiting the audience, for they knew Nero had ordered that some of the Christians were to be given to the lions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After the contest in which Lupus had been defeated there was a pause.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was a hush of expectation as the door was opened, and a procession, consisting of a priest of Jupiter and several attendants of the temple, followed by four guards conducting an elderly man with his two sons, lads of seventeen or eighteen, entered.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The priest approached the prisoners, holding out a small image of the god, and offered them their lives if they would pay the customary honours to it.
