used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
beggarnounUS /ˈbeɡər/
a pauper who lives by begging
From this reading The rest he left in the lap of a beggar sleeping beside the door.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The rest he left in the lap of a beggar sleeping beside the door.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
CarewnounUS /ˈkæruː/
Englishman and Cavalier poet whose lyric poetry was favored by Charles I (1595-1639)
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
chamberlain'snounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərlənz/
possessive form of “chamberlain” — British statesman who as Prime Minister pursued a policy of appeasement toward fascist Germany (1869-1940)
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
cheesenounUS /tʃiːz/
a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk
From this reading Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
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 Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
the first light of day
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
gottenverbUS /ˈɡɑːtən/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
half-wakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The rest he left in the lap of a beggar sleeping beside the door.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
high-toppedadjective
(of shoes or boots) having relatively high uppers
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
hostler's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
inn-yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
knucklesnounUS /ˈnʌkəlz/
(used in the plural) a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading The rest he left in the lap of a beggar sleeping beside the door.
immediately past
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The rest he left in the lap of a beggar sleeping beside the door.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
pouchnounUS /paʊtʃ/
a small or medium size container for holding or carrying things
From this reading Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
puffingnounUS /ˈpʌfɪŋ/
blowing tobacco smoke out into the air
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
pumpverbUS /pʌmp/
operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
Rat-a-tat-tatnoun
a series of short sharp taps (as made by strokes on a drum or knocks on a door)
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
not used up
From this reading Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The rest he left in the lap of a beggar sleeping beside the door.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
riding-boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
only a very short time before
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
the state of being asleep
From this reading The rest he left in the lap of a beggar sleeping beside the door.
smokyadjectiveUS /ˈsmoʊki/
marked by or emitting or filled with smoke
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
stowedverbUS /stoʊd/
past form of “stow” — fill by packing tightly
From this reading Part of the remaining cold meat, cheese, and cakes Carew stowed in his leather pouch.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
tuggingverbUS /ˈtʌɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “tug” — pull hard
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A STRANGE RIDE Rat-a-tat-tat at the first dim hint of dawn went the chamberlain’s knuckles upon the door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Master Carew having gotten into his high-topped riding-boots with a great puffing and tugging, they washed their faces at the inn-yard pump by the smoky light of the hostler’s lantern, and then in a subdued, half-wakened way made a hearty breakfast off the fragments of the last night’s feast.
but in spite of that
From this reading To Nick it seemed scarce midnight yet, so sound had been his sleep.
