Chapter I

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

(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 Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading CASTLE TEACHES TOBY TO RIDE.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

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

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

past form of “dangle” — hang freely

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

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

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

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

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

a form of address for a man

From this reading MR.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading CASTLE TEACHES TOBY TO RIDE.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

a strong line

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

put a saddle on

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

cut with a saw

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

having a supporting base

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

plural of “teach” — an English pirate who operated in the Caribbean and off the Atlantic coast of North America (died in 1718)

From this reading CASTLE TEACHES TOBY TO RIDE.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

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

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

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

From this reading CASTLE TEACHES TOBY TO RIDE.

a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat

From this reading CASTLE TEACHES TOBY TO RIDE.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

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

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

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

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

at the time that

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but this wooden projection from the tent pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading When Toby got within sight of the ring, he was astonished at what he saw.

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

From this reading A horse with a broad wooden saddle was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand, and on the tent pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt on a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm, and run down to the base of the pole.