used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Their number might have been eight or ten.
betokened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
buoyantadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪənt/
tending to float on a liquid or rise in air or gas
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
complexionsnounUS /kəmˈplekʃənz/
plural of “complexion” — the coloring of a person's face
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
well in the past; former
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
being one more than seven
From this reading Their number might have been eight or ten.
elasticitynounUS /ˌiːlæˈstɪsəti/
the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
embowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
gesticulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
grassyadjectiveUS /ˈɡræsi/
abounding in grass
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
groupingnounUS /ˈɡruːpɪŋ/
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Their number might have been eight or ten.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
ten 10s
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
of the present time and place
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
issuingnounUS /ˈɪʃuːɪŋ/
the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
full of life and energy
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
maidensnounUS /ˈmeɪdənz/
plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Their number might have been eight or ten.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
the middle of the day
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Their number might have been eight or ten.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Their number might have been eight or ten.
orderlynounUS /ˈɔːrdərli/
a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
a course of conduct
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
playfuladjectiveUS /ˈpleɪfəl/
full of fun and high spirits
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
poplarnounUS /ˈpɑːplər/
soft light-colored non-durable wood of the poplar
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
precinctsnounUS /ˈpriːsɪŋkts/
plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
only a very short time before
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
sessionnounUS /ˈseʃən/
a meeting for execution of a group's functions
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
not in physical motion
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Their number might have been eight or ten.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
in the direction of
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
unequivocallyadverbUS /ˌʌniˈkwɪvəkəli/
in an unambiguous manner
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Their buoyant carriage and lively gesticulations betokened the elasticity of health which was still more unequivocally shown in their ruddy complexions and well rounded forms.
at the time that
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Towards noon of the day on which the council held their session, a troop of maidens was seen issuing from the chapel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Their path lay across the grassy plain towards the town, and passed immediately within the space embowered by an ancient, spreading poplar, scarce a hundred paces in front of the chapel.
love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading The orderly step with which they departed from the door was exchanged for a playful haste in grouping together when they got beyond the immediate precincts of the place of worship.
