used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
admittancenounUS /ədˈmɪtəns/
the right to enter
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
of short duration or distance
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
BristolnounUS /ˈbrɪstəl/
an industrial city and port in southwestern England near the mouth of the River Avon
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
cadgers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
city'snounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
possessive form of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
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 At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
donkeynounUS /ˈdɑːŋki/
the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
drawbridgenounUS /ˈdrɔːbrɪdʒ/
a bridge that can be raised to block passage or to allow boats or ships to pass beneath it
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
enceinteadjective
in an advanced stage of pregnancy
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
fortificationsnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
guard-sergeant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
in the recent past
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
miennounUS /miːn/
dignified manner or conduct
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
moatnounUS /moʊt/
ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading Night had now come on, and it was pitch dark.
portcullisnoun
gate consisting of an iron or wooden grating that hangs in the entry to a castle or fortified town; can be lowered to prevent passage
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
reasonableadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənəbəl/
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
repairedverbUS /rɪˈperd/
past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
express the need or desire for
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
revealingadjectiveUS /rɪˈviːlɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
the act of searching for something
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
sentrynounUS /ˈsentri/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
soldierlyadjective
(of persons) befitting a warrior
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
strengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈstreŋθənd/
given added strength or support
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
walledverbUS /wɔːld/
past form of “wall” — surround with a wall in order to fortify
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
which person or people
From this reading But a lamp set high on one of the gate towers threw its light across the moat, revealing to the eyes of the sentry who held post overhead the party seeking admittance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bristol was then a walled town, with an _enceinte_ of ancient fortifications that had lately been repaired and strengthened.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Getting within sight of the city's gate, the cadgers could see it was shut, drawbridge up, and portcullis down.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading At sight of their humble mien, he thought of the bitterly cold night, and hearing of their reasonable request, called to the guard-sergeant below; then, to the inquiry of the latter, gave description of them in brief soldierly phrase--"Woman, man, and donkey."
