used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
bowernounUS /ˈbaʊər/
a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
ever-increasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
Feargus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
hearkenverb
listen; used mostly in the imperative
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
ill-will
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
king'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
roused to anger
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
maidensnounUS /ˈmeɪdənz/
plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
mistrustedverbUS /mɪˈstrʌstɪd/
past form of “mistrust” — regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
morrownounUS /ˈmɑːroʊ/
the next day
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
Osbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
persuadeverbUS /pərˈsweɪd/
win approval or support for
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
Pict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
any competition
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
saddlingverbUS /ˈsædəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “saddle” — put a saddle on
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
cut with a saw
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading As he drew near he saw an object lying across the threshold shining brightly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
Torfrida
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
in the direction of
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
in or at the place that
From this reading On the morrow Osbert arose and, saddling his horse, took his way towards the king’s hall, on the side where Torfrida sat in her bower among her maidens.
which person or people
From this reading And Torfrida had felt that a kind of safety lay in the mad giant who came of her mother’s race.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Now for many months he had seen the mad Pict lying across the gate in this wise, and had tried to persuade Torfrida to turn him away from her door; but she mistrusted Osbert, and her father dreaded him, and for his sake she had to hearken to him, but with an ever-increasing ill-will the more he pressed his suit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE MEETING IN THE FOREST After speaking with Feargus, Torfrida returned to her maidens, telling them to keep secret the knowledge that Feargus had appeared among them.
