used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
beadedadjectiveUS /ˈbiːdɪd/
covered with beads of liquid
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
curved-bladed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
divined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
dizzinessnounUS /ˈdɪzinəs/
a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
DOGEnounUS /doʊdʒ/
formerly the chief magistrate in the republics of Venice and Genoa
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
Emirs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
fencingnounUS /ˈfensɪŋ/
a barrier that serves to enclose an area
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/
a short vivid experience
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
hissingnounUS /ˈhɪsɪŋ/
a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
ill-adapted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
staying power
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
loinsnoun
the lower part of the abdomen just above the external genital organs
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
menacedverbUS /ˈmenəst/
past form of “menace” — pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
opponentnounUS /əˈpoʊnənt/
a contestant that you are matched against
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
outspreadadjective
fully extended in width
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
compacted by ironing
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
Saracennoun
(historically) a member of the nomadic people of the Syrian and Arabian deserts at the time of the Roman Empire
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
scimiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
serpent-wise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
skilledadjectiveUS /skɪld/
having or showing or requiring special skill
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
squatverbUS /skwɑːt/
sit on one's heels
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
suppleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌpəl/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
sweatnounUS /swet/
salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading Almost he fancied he could see its flashing circles, and he divined that his opponent must be one of the Saracen Emirs, skilled in the Eastern tricks of fencing with the curved-bladed scimiter.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
venomouslyadverb
in a very malevolent manner
From this reading It curled serpent-wise about his sword, hissing venomously as it menaced head and throat and loins.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
at the time that
From this reading Then, when the darkness danced before his eyes and a dizziness came over him, he felt a squat figure that brushed between his outspread legs and the terrible sword fell away.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN THE POWER OF THE DOGE Hugh fought his way forward in the confusion until he encountered a blade which pressed him back with supple cunning.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The sweat beaded his forehead, his breath came short, for his heavy weapon was ill-adapted for such work.
