Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

(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 Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

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

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

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

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

object formed by a mold

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

plural of “commentary” — a written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

without stop or interruption

From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.

not as far along as normal in development

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

an old word for “before”

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

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 It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

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

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

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

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.

held dear

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

bother persistently with trivial complaints

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

on one occasion

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

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

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

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

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

the battle in 1356 in which the English under the Black Prince defeated the French

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

past form of “right” — make reparations or amends for

From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

in a sullen manner

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

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

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

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

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

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

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

two times

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

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

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

a witty amusing person who makes jokes

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

which person or people

From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.