used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
(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 All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
amphitheatrenounUS /ˈæmfəθiˈeɪtər/
a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an operating room or theater)
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
Archduchessnoun
a wife or widow of an archduke or a princess of the former ruling house of Austria
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
AustrianounUS /ˈɔːstriə/
a mountainous republic in central Europe; under the Habsburgs (1278-1918) Austria maintained control of the Holy Roman Empire and was a leader in European politics until the 19th century
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
balcony-windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
betrothalnoun
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
brightly-lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
celebrateverbUS /ˈseləbreɪt/
behave as expected during of holidays or rites
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
DanubenounUS /ˈdænjuːb/
the 2nd longest European river (after the Volga); flows from southwestern Germany to the Black Sea
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
flashesnounUS /ˈflæʃɪz/
plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
imperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
incessantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsesəntli/
with unflagging resolve
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
and nothing more
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
Liparia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
provided with artificial light
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
mountain-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
noiselessadjective
making no sound
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
paler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
having a point
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
reception-rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
uttered with a trill
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
Sigismundingen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
sultryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌltri/
sexually exciting or gratifying
From this reading It was in September: the day had been sultry and in the evening the oppressive heat still hung brooding in the air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Dinner was just over and the imperial procession returned through a long corridor to the reception-rooms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
toweredverbUS /ˈtaʊərd/
past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
turretsnounUS /ˈtɜːrəts/
plural of “turret” — a small tower extending above a building
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
Valérie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
violetnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The mountain-tops were defined in a sombre, violet amphitheatre against the paler sky, which was incessantly lit with electric flashes, as of noiseless lightning.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All the balcony-windows of the brightly-lighted gallery stood open; beneath, as in an abyss of river landscape, flowed the Danube, rolling against the rocks, while above it towered the castle with its innumerable little pointed turrets.
Xara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after the state banquet in the castle at Sigismundingen, where the imperial families of Liparia and Austria were assembled to celebrate the betrothal of the Duke of Xara and the Archduchess Valérie.
