used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
in addition
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
move towards
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
breastplatenounUS /ˈbrestpleɪt/
armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
cordovannoun
a fine leather originally made in Cordoba, Spain
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
dangledverbUS /ˈdæŋɡəld/
past form of “dangle” — hang freely
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
distinctiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋktɪv/
of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
doubletnoun
a man's close-fitting jacket; worn during the Renaissance
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
put on clothes
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
encasedadjectiveUS /enˈkeɪst/
covered or protected with or as if with a case
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
facingsnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋz/
plural of “facing” — a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
fasteningsnounUS /ˈfæsənɪŋz/
plural of “fastening” — restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
featsnounUS /fiːts/
plural of “feat” — a notable achievement
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
a boy or man
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
a long fixed look
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
graspingnounUS /ˈɡræspɪŋ/
understanding with difficulty
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
to a considerable degree
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
helmetnounUS /ˈhelmət/
armor plate that protects the head
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
likelihoodnounUS /ˈlaɪklihʊd/
the probability of a specified outcome
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
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 I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
the force of workers available
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
and nothing more
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
not in physical motion
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
moustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
being perceived or observed
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
the local environment
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
profilenounUS /ˈproʊfaɪl/
an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
slashedadjectiveUS /slæʃt/
patterned by having color applied with sweeping strokes
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
SpainnounUS /speɪn/
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
successive (without a break)
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
strapnounUS /stræp/
an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Yet it was small likelihood any other nation than Spain had armed men in those parts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A PASSAGE AT ARMS He stood motionless, one hand grasping the limb of a tree, leaning far out so as to gaze up the river, totally unconscious of my approach.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading I noticed also the upward curve of a huge gray moustache against the stern profile of his face, while a long straight sword dangled at his side.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Evidently the stranger was a soldier, and one not to be despised in feats at arms, although in what service I might merely conjecture, as his dress was not distinctive.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
but in spite of that
From this reading The fellow was tall, yet heavily built, wearing a great leather helmet with brass facings, his body encased in a slashed doublet, the strap fastenings of a steel breastplate showing at waist and shoulders, while high boots of yellow cordovan leather extended above his knees.
