used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lodge-keeper hurried out and welcomed me.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
flaggedverbUS /flæɡd/
inflected form of “flag” — communicate or signal with a flag
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
the act of giving
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
heedlessadjective
marked by or paying little heed or attention
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading The lodge-keeper hurried out and welcomed me.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
located inward
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
immediately past
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
lodge-keeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lodge-keeper hurried out and welcomed me.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The lodge-keeper hurried out and welcomed me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The lodge-keeper hurried out and welcomed me.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
semi-darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
side-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
with low volume
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
successive (without a break)
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
in a swift manner
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At first it seemed to me that he was not there, for the chamber was in semi-darkness.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Then, heedless of the surprised looks of the servants, I made my way to the library, and knocking softly at the door of the inner room, entered.
wearyingadjectiveUS /ˈwiːriɪŋ/
producing exhaustion
From this reading After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading The lodge-keeper hurried out and welcomed me.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading I walked swiftly up the winding ascent, straight across the flagged courtyard and entered the castle by a side-door.
