Chapter III

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

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

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

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

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

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

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

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

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

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

(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 In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

plural of “castle” — a large and stately mansion

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

plural of “cell” — any small compartment

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

A fortress protecting a city, metaphorically representing the invincible inner sanctuary of the rational mind.

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

under normal conditions

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

things that make you comfortable and at ease

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

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

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

having lost your job

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

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

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

high status importance owing to marked superiority

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

divisible by two

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

have an existence, be extant

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

usually; as a rule

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

depressingly dark

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

the head of a state government

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

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

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

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

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

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

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

to or toward the inside of

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

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

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

immediately past

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

set afire or burning

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

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

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

for more time

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

and nothing more

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

a line of small holes for tearing at a particular place

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

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

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

without any others being included or involved

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

make square

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

plural of “staircase” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

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

From this reading In the Keep or Dungeon, the Lord, or Governor, had his state-rooms, which were little better than gloomy cells, with chinks or embrasures diminishing inwards, from which arrows from long or cross-bows might be discharged against besiegers.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

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

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Some Keeps, especially those of small castles, had not even these conveniences, but were solely lighted by a small perforation at the top.

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

plural of “turret” — a small tower extending above a building

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

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

From this reading The Keep, or Dungeon, commonly, but not always, stood on an eminence in the centre; sometimes it was, emphatically, called the Tower.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

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

From this reading The walls of these edifices were always of an extraordinary thickness, which enabled them to exist longer than other buildings; and they are now almost the only remains of our ancient castles.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was the Citadel, or last retreat of the garrison, and was generally a high, square tower of four or five stories, having turrets at each angle, with staircases in the turrets.