Chapter I · Chapter 1

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

matters of personal concern

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

(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 It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

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

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

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

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

create by putting components or members together

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

invulnerable to fear or intimidation

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

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

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

for the reason that

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

plural of “caravan” — a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

having a high state of culture and development both social and technological

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

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

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

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

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

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

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

obtain through intimidation

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

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

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

a preacher of the Christian gospel

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

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

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

having a heading or course in a certain direction

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

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

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

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

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

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

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

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

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

commodities offered for sale

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

common to or shared by two or more parties

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

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

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

not any; not one

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

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

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

many times at short intervals

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

and nothing more

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

plural of “outlaw” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

a full supply

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937)

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

money demanded for the return of a captured person

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

make a logical or causal connection

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

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

From this reading Or, The Days of the Dragonnades THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

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

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

precisely as stated

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

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

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.

having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

at the time that

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

which person or people

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder I heard plenty about it.

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

From this reading It is true, that in my time, the world-famous fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and not only France, but of all civilized countries.

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

From this reading With what enjoyment would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off prisoners and extort heavy ransom.

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

From this reading There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of Beaucaire.