used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
in addition
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
dearly loved
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
contestsnounUS /ˈkɑːntests/
plural of “contest” — an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
far-offadjective
very far away in space or time
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
a quick look
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
joyfullyadverbUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəli/
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
knight'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
listsnounUS /lɪsts/
plural of “list” — a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
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 That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
MinstrelsnounUS /ˈmɪnstrəlz/
plural of “minstrel” — a singer of folk songs
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
perchanceadverbUS /pərˈtʃæns/
through chance
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
personallyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrsənəli/
as yourself
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
splendournoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
Tannhäuser's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading But she had heard of her knight’s return, and had joyfully promised to attend the contest; so the occasion bade fair to be of more than usual splendour.
precisely as stated
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fair was the Princess as a May morning, with deep blue eyes that had caught some of the far-off sky in them.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
at the time that
From this reading The Princess Elizabeth had not been visible when the company first returned to the castle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the evening, before the expected guests were assembled, the Princess went to the Minstrels’ Hall—a large circular chamber with high columns and arched roof—to attend personally to setting it in order, and also perchance, as her heart confessed, to catch an early glimpse of her beloved knight.
yearlynounUS /ˈjɪrli/
a reference book that is published regularly once every year
From this reading That very night had been set apart for one of the yearly contests of song; and though the lists had long been closed, the King gave command that Tannhäuser’s name should be added.
