used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
(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 The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
in addition
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
appearancesnounUS /əˈpɪrənsəz/
plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
datingnounUS /ˈdeɪtɪŋ/
use of chemical analysis to estimate the age of geological specimens
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
dilapidationnoun
a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
disusenounUS /dɪˈsjuːs/
the state of something that has been unused and neglected
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
drawbridgenounUS /ˈdrɔːbrɪdʒ/
a bridge that can be raised to block passage or to allow boats or ships to pass beneath it
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
feudaladjectiveUS /ˈfjuːdəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of feudalism
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
hatchetnounUS /ˈhætʃət/
weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
hingesnounUS /ˈhɪndʒɪz/
plural of “hinge” — a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
IIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
immovablenounUS /ˌɪˈmuːvəbəl/
property consisting of houses and land
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
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 The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
loopholesnounUS /ˈluːphoʊlz/
plural of “loophole” — an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation
From this reading In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
oldenadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldən/
relating to time long past
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
opulencenounUS /ˈɑːpjələns/
wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
pikenounUS /paɪk/
a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
rebuiltverbUS /riˈbɪlt/
inflected form of “rebuild” — build again
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
rivetsnounUS /ˈrɪvəts/
plural of “rivet” — ornament consisting of a circular rounded protuberance (as on a vault or shield or belt)
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
only a very short time before
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
Stadtholder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
successive (without a break)
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
sustainverbUS /səˈsteɪn/
lengthen or extend in duration or space
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
tumbledown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
voguenounUS /voʊɡ/
the popular taste at a given time
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
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 In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant to creep through.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
Werve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III.--King William III. of England--and the rich, solemn style then in vogue had been adopted.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight.
