Chapter XI · Detention

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

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

later than; following

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

at or in the front

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

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

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

United States astronaut; the first man to set foot on the Moon (July 20, 1969) (1930-)

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

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

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

for the reason that

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

ruined by overcooking

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

inflected form of “commit” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

past form of “consult” — get or ask advice from

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

having been prepared for eating by the application of heat

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

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

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

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

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

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

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

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

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

and nothing more

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

as might be expected

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

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

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

not any; not one

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

control and direct with or as if by reins

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

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

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

put a saddle on

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

not in physical motion

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

in a softened tone

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

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

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

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

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

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

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

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

From this reading The night after he left Traquair’s castle Armstrong slept on Scottish soil, still busy with his task of memory; then he burnt the notes in the fire that cooked his supper.

pull hard

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

unaccustomed or unusual

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

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

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

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

From this reading This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he was committing to memory the message to the King.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

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

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The next morning, early, William Armstrong, on Bruce, his black horse, set out for the Border with the good wishes of his host.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.

marked by wrinkles

From this reading His naturally gay demeanor was subdued, and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode along.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading He carried a mass of notes, which he had written the night before, and these he consulted every now and then, for his horse required no guidance, and if it had, its rider was so accustomed to the saddle that he could have directed the animal in his sleep, for Bruce needed no tug at rein, but merely a whispered word or a touch from one knee or the other.