Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

the superior of an abbey of monks

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

(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 HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

plural of “better” — something superior in quality or condition or effect

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

plural of “bishop” — a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

the lower side of anything

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

the act of burning something

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

plural of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

a line of units following one after another

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

a native or inhabitant of Denmark

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe; consists of the mainland of Jutland and many islands between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

king of Northumbria who was converted to Christianity (585-633)

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

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

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

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

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

plural of “holder” — a holding device

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

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

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

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

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

of or characteristic of low rank or importance

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

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 Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

plural of “magnate” — a very wealthy or powerful businessman

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

the force of workers available

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

any of certain cathedrals and large churches; originally connected to a monastery

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

filled or abounding with fog or mist

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

plural of “monk” — a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

a legislative assembly in certain countries

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

earlier in time

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

in a special manner

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

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

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

a feudal lord or baron

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

in or at that place or location

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading HOW THEY HELD A GREAT MEETING IN THE HALL OF ELY There sat round the hall of Ely all the magnates of the East land and East sea.

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

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

a shaky motion

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.

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

From this reading The Abbot on his high seat; and on a seat higher than his, prepared specially, Sweyn Ulfsson, King of Denmark and England.

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

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

plural of “viking” — any of the Scandinavian people who raided the coasts of Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

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

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading Below them were knights, Vikings, captains, great holders from Denmark, and the Prior and inferior officers of Ely minster.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

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

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading And at the bottom of the misty hall, on the other side of the column of blue vapor which went trembling up from the great heap of burning turf amidst, were housecarles, monks, wild men from the Baltic shores, crowded together to hear what was done in that parliament of their betters.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading By them sat the Bishops, Egelwin the Englishman and Christiern the Dane; Osbiorn, the young Earls Edwin and Morcar, and Sweyn’s two sons; and, it may be, the sons of Tosti Godwinsson, and Arkill the great Thane, and Hereward himself.