used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
(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 Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
bakersnounUS /ˈbeɪkərz/
plural of “baker” — someone who bakes commercially
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
bannersnounUS /ˈbænərz/
plural of “banner” — long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
BESS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
boilsnounUS /bɔɪlz/
plural of “boil” — a painful sore with a hard core filled with pus
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
breathlesslyadverbUS /ˈbreθləsli/
in a breathless manner
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
cooksnounUS /kʊks/
plural of “cook” — someone who cooks food
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
damesnounUS /deɪmz/
plural of “dame” — informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
evergreennounUS /ˈevərɡriːn/
a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
garlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
GreenwichnounUS /ˈɡrenɪtʃ/
a borough of Greater London on the Thames; zero degrees of longitude runs through Greenwich; time is measured relative to Greenwich Mean Time
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
GroomsnounUS /ɡruːmz/
plural of “groom” — a man participant in his own marriage ceremony
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
hallsnounUS /hɔːlz/
plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
hostlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
ten 10s
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
hurry-scurrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
the act of departing
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
men-at-arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
mouth-wateringadjective
pleasing to the sense of taste
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
neighed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
revelries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
scullions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
serving-maids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
stairwaysnounUS /ˈsterweɪz/
plural of “stairway” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
steamedadjectiveUS /stiːmd/
cooked in steam
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
streaksnounUS /striːks/
plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
swallow-wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Four hundred sat to dinner that day in Greenwich halls, and all the palace streamed with banners and green garlands.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The palace stirred like a mighty pot that boils to its utmost verge, for the hour of the revelries was come.
water-fountain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading Grooms and pages, hostlers and dames, went hurry-scurrying to and fro; cooks, bakers, and scullions steamed about, leaving hot, mouth-watering streaks of fragrance in the air; bluff men-at-arms went whistling here and there; and serving-maids with rosy cheeks ran breathlessly up and down the winding stairways.
in the company of; together with
From this reading CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS Christmas morning came and went as if on swallow-wings, in a gale of royal merriment.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within the courtyard two hundred horses neighed and stamped around a water-fountain playing in a bowl of ice and evergreen.
