Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

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

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

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

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

an occurrence of something

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

English architect (1723-1796)

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

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

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

the organ of sight

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

a social unit living together

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

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

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading The building was some forty feet square.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

past form of “haul” — draw slowly or heavily

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

a social unit living together

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

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

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

a boy or man

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

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

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

plural of “loophole” — an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

and nothing more

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

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

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

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

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

the state of being asleep

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

without any others being included or involved

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The building was some forty feet square.

make square

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

having a supporting base

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

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

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

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

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

the upper part of anything

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

a small tower extending above a building

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

the topmost one of two

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

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 It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

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

From this reading A lad was standing on the little lookout turret, on the top of a border fortalice.

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

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

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

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The place was evidently built solely with an eye to defence, comfort being an altogether secondary consideration.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The upper floor was divided into several chambers, which were the sleeping places of its lord and master, his family, and the women of the household.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading It was a square building, of rough stone, the walls broken only by narrow loopholes; and the door, which was ten feet above the ground, was reached by broad wooden steps, which could be hauled up in case of necessity; and were, in fact, raised every night.