used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
brandishingverbUS /ˈbrændɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “brandish” — move or swing back and forth
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading THE VERDICT The Star Chamber once more!
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
clubsnounUS /klʌbz/
plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading The reason of this display of force was soon manifested.
doubledadjectiveUS /ˈdʌbəld/
twice as great or many
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The reason of this display of force was soon manifested.
frayverbUS /freɪ/
wear away by rubbing
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
destroyed or killed
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
Gray'snounUS /ɡreɪz/
possessive form of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
halberdiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
manifestedverbUS /ˈmænəfestəd/
past form of “manifest” — provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading The reason of this display of force was soon manifested.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE VERDICT The Star Chamber once more!
information about recent and important events
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
on one occasion
From this reading THE VERDICT The Star Chamber once more!
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
pervadedverbUS /pərˈveɪdɪd/
past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
precinctsnounUS /ˈpriːsɪŋkts/
plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
prentices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
purlieus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The reason of this display of force was soon manifested.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
in the near future
From this reading The reason of this display of force was soon manifested.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading THE VERDICT The Star Chamber once more!
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
studentsnounUS /ˈstuːdənts/
plural of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VERDICT The Star Chamber once more!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The reason of this display of force was soon manifested.
up to a particular time
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
unwontedadjective
unaccustomed or unusual
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
VERDICTnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
From this reading THE VERDICT The Star Chamber once more!
wardersnounUS /ˈwɔːrdərz/
plural of “warder” — a person who works in a prison and is in charge of prisoners
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
WestminsternounUS /ˌwestˈmɪnstər/
a borough of Greater London on the Thames; contains Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray.
