used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
abridgedadjectiveUS /əˈbrɪdʒd/
(used of texts) shortened by condensing or rewriting
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
(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 And where was Edward Langdale all this time?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And where was Edward Langdale all this time?
react verbally
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading If he asked for writing-materials, they were promised, but never came.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
BastillenounUS /ˈbæstɪl/
a fortress built in Paris in the 14th century and used as a prison in the 17th and 18th centuries; it was destroyed July 14, 1789 at the start of the French Revolution
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading If he asked for writing-materials, they were promised, but never came.
captivitynounUS /kæpˈtɪvəti/
the state of being imprisoned
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
ChateaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
Coiffy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading And where was Edward Langdale all this time?
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If he asked for writing-materials, they were promised, but never came.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
a message received and understood
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
and nothing more
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
a boy or man
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
Langdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And where was Edward Langdale all this time?
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
MontagunounUS /ˈmɑːntəɡjuː/
United States anthropologist (born in England) who popularized anthropology (1905-)
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
not any; not one
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading If he asked for writing-materials, they were promised, but never came.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
cut with a saw
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
subdueverbUS /səbˈduː/
put down by force or intimidation
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If he asked for writing-materials, they were promised, but never came.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And where was Edward Langdale all this time?
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And where was Edward Langdale all this time?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And where was Edward Langdale all this time?
(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 Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If he asked for writing-materials, they were promised, but never came.
in or at the place that
From this reading And where was Edward Langdale all this time?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Care had been taken that he should have no opportunity of seeing Lord Montagu; and, though he was well treated, and his personal liberty seemed but little abridged within the walls, there was a cold, silent guard kept over him which tended a good deal to subdue his impatient spirit.
the words that are spoken
From this reading If he spoke to any one, he received a civil answer; but it was confined to two or three words, and never afforded any information.
writing-materials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he asked for writing-materials, they were promised, but never came.
but in spite of that
From this reading On the day which saw Lord Montagu a prisoner in the Bastille, the poor lad had been just a month in the Chateau de Coiffy; and his captivity was not yet at an end.
