Chapter I · Chapter 1

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.

(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 XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

provide as food

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

make or shape as with an axe

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

plural of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

on one occasion

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

a course of conduct

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.

participate in games or sport

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

except for; apart from

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

term of address for a man

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

in the near future

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

move hurridly

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.

a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.

plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

which person or people

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, 215 What hope to save the town?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-eight and one

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-six and one

From this reading XXVII Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late, 220 And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods,

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-seven and one

From this reading XXVIII And for the tender mother 225 Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife that nurses His baby at her breast, And for the holy maidens[40] Who feed the eternal flame, 230 To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame?"

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading XXIX "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may, I, with two more to help me, 235 Will hold the foe in play.

distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)

From this reading In yon strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three.