adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
archnounUS /ɑːrtʃ/
a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
bastionnounUS /ˈbæstʃən/
a group that defends a principle
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
bastionsnounUS /ˈbæstʃənz/
plural of “bastion” — a group that defends a principle
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
baysnounUS /beɪz/
plural of “bay” — an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
black-marble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
CastlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
cleftnounUS /kleft/
a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
EgyptiannounUS /ɪˈdʒɪpʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Egypt
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
elephantsnounUS /ˈeləfənts/
plural of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
endsnounUS /endz/
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
enshrinedverbUS /enˈʃraɪnd/
past form of “enshrine” — enclose in a shrine
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
fantasticallyadverbUS /fænˈtæstɪkli/
exceedingly; extremely
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
gatesnounUS /ɡeɪts/
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 The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
gazingverbUS /ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
glassnounUS /ɡlæs/
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
hammeredadjectiveUS /ˈhæmərd/
shaped or worked with a hammer and often showing hammer marks
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
ironnounUS /ˈaɪərn/
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
ItaliannounUS /ˌɪˈtæljən/
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
minaretnounUS /ˌmɪnərˈet/
slender tower with balconies
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
MoorishnounUS /ˈmʊrɪʃ/
a style of architecture common in Spain from the 13th to 16th centuries; characterized by horseshoe-shaped arches
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
mullionedadjective
of windows; divided by vertical bars or piers usually of stone
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
onesnounUS /wʌnz/
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
Palladianadjective
referring to or relating to or having the style of architecture created by Andrea Palladio
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
pedimentnoun
a triangular gable between a horizontal entablature and a sloping roof
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
porticonounUS /ˈpɔːrtəkoʊ/
a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
principalnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
roofnounUS /ruːf/
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
skywardadjectiveUS /ˈskaɪwərd/
directed toward heaven or the sky
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
southwestnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθwest/
the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
squareverbUS /skwer/
make square
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
steadfastlyadverbUS /ˈstedfæstli/
with resolute determination
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
stonenounUS /stoʊn/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
terminatingverbUS /ˈtɜːrməneɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “terminate” — bring to an end or halt
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The arch was enshrined by a Palladian portico, which rose to the roof, and was surmounted by an open pediment, in the cleft of which stood a black-marble figure of an Egyptian, erect, and gazing steadfastly at the midday sun.
TurkishadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrkɪʃ/
of or relating to or characteristic of Turkey or its people or language
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On the ground beneath was an Italian terrace with two great stone elephants at the ends of the balustrade.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The southwest face was the front, and was pierced by a Moorish arch fitted with glass doors, which could be secured on occasion by gates of fantastically hammered iron.
Wiltstoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The windows on the upper story were, like the entrance, Moorish; but the principal ones below were square bays, mullioned.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Wiltstoken Castle was a square building with circular bastions at the corners, each bastion terminating skyward in a Turkish minaret.
