Chapter XX

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

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

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

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

on or to one side

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

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

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

for a short time

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

a light four-wheel horse-drawn ceremonial carriage

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

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

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

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

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

the state of being poorly illuminated

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

past form of “disband” — cause to break up or cease to function

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

weakening in force or intensity

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

moving swiftly

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

United States film maker (1896-1973)

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

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

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

causing awareness of your shortcomings

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

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

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

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

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

straightened out

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

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

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

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

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

plural of “rib” — support resembling the rib of an animal

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

cause to flee

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

cut with a saw

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

United States electrical engineer who pioneered mathematical communication theory (1916-2001)

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

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

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

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

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

in the direction of

From this reading The Humbling of Queen Meave Towards the fall of day, Cuchulain reached the ford of the Shannon at the place that is now called Athlone.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

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

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

up to a particular time

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

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

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

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

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

look attentively

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading As he pushed his way into the wood, he saw before him, in the dimness of the fading light, Queen Meave herself, fallen, forsaken and exhausted, on the ground.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

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

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “I will watch the flying host,” he thought, “until the Ulstermen come up, and together we will smite them and cut off their rear.”

past form of “will” — decree or ordain

From this reading So close was she that he could have smitten her from behind, and taken off her head, had he so willed.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading He saw the army of Meave flying, broken and disbanded, across the river, and weariness and dislike of the rout overtook him, so that he turned aside into a wood close by to rest awhile, for of his chariot there remained but a few bent ribs, and the wheels were loosened from the pole.