Chapter III

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

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

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

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

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

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

plural of “birth” — the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

having or covered with or accompanied by blood

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

having a red face from embarrassment or shame or agitation or emotional upset

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

plural of “bonfire” — a large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

give encouragement to

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

plural of “comer” — someone with a promising future

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

plural of “death” — the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

take in liquids

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

plural of “earl” — a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

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

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

make full, also in a metaphorical sense

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

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

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

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

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

the sound of laughing

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

set afire or burning

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

plural of “maid” — a female domestic

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

the force of workers available

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

in a joyous manner

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading The sun never shone on so merry a Christmas!

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The sun never shone on so merry a Christmas!

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

and nothing more

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

rip off; ask an unreasonable price

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

a crosspiece between the legs of a chair

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading The sun never shone on so merry a Christmas!

plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The sun never shone on so merry a Christmas!

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

be standing; be upright

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun never shone on so merry a Christmas!

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

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

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

in or at that place or location

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

hard to endure

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

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

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

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 Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

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

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

plural of “wedding” — the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

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

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

at the time that

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

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

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

which person or people

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading And when the time came, the bell on the tower, which sounded only for births, deaths, and weddings, rung merrily through the frosty air, bonfires were lighted on the hills, the fountain ran wine, and every man who chose might put in his cup and drink his fill.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the hall were knights and earls wearing belt, spur, and plume; gay ladies in velvets, with sweeping trains; and children pages, and pert maids, who did nothing but stand under the mistletoe; and then what kissing, what blushing, what shouts, what laughter!

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Four weeks before the next Christmas the Baron proclaimed there would be good cheer for all comers two days and nights at the castle.

the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat

From this reading Outside the wall were crowds of men gaming, wrestling, and trying their strength, and a few bloody noses and a cracked skull or two; but that was nothing in those rough times.