used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
how long something has existed
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
(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 There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
bridledverbUS /ˈbraɪdəld/
past form of “bridle” — anger or take offense
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
buttverbUS /bʌt/
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down to the ground.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
clatteringverbUS /ˈklætərɪŋ/
-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound
From this reading Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down to the ground.
coloursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
diversadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪvərz/
many and different
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down to the ground.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
EXCALIBURnounUS /ˌekˈskæləbər/
the legendary sword of King Arthur
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down to the ground.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
GATnounUS /ɡæt/
a gangster's pistol
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
the act of giving
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
Griflet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down to the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
horsebacknounUS /ˈhɔːrsbæk/
the back of a horse
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down to the ground.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
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 HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
knighthoodnounUS /ˈnaɪthʊd/
aristocrats holding the rank of knight
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
immediately past
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
loathadjectiveUS /loʊθ/
unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
mortallyadverbUS /ˈmɔːrtəli/
in such a manner that death ensues (also in reference to hatred, jealousy, fear, etc.)
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
pavilionnounUS /pəˈvɪljən/
large and often sumptuous tent
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
saddledadjectiveUS /ˈsædəld/
having a saddle on or being mounted on a saddled animal
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
cut with a saw
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
the act of searching for something
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
shieldnounUS /ʃiːld/
a protective covering or structure
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
spearnounUS /spɪr/
a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down to the ground.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
in or at that place or location
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
up to a particular time
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on a tree hard by.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
(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 Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
which person or people
From this reading Then came up Griflet, that was but a squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down to the ground.
people who are wounded
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking justice against the murderer.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to the fountain.
