used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
anchoredverbUS /ˈæŋkərd/
past form of “anchor” — fix firmly and stably
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
attendantsnounUS /əˈtendənts/
plural of “attendant” — someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
cavaliersnounUS /ˌkævəˈlɪrz/
plural of “cavalier” — a gallant or courtly gentleman
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
cocklenounUS /ˈkɑːkəl/
common edible European bivalve
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
domesticsnounUS /dəˈmestɪks/
plural of “domestic” — a servant who is paid to perform menial tasks around the household
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
an opposing military force
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
obtain
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/
past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
leaguesnounUS /liːɡz/
plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
not any; not one
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
posternnoun
a small gate in the rear of a fort or castle
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
privatelyadverbUS /ˈpraɪvətli/
kept private or confined to those intimately concerned
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
shallop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
not in physical motion
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
surfnounUS /sɜːrf/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
unrulyadjectiveUS /ənˈruːli/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “The little band of fugitives were obliged to perform the distance on foot.
at the time that
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
in or at the place that
From this reading Her object was to gain a small port about two leagues distant, where she had privately provided a vessel for her escape in case of emergency.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One dark unruly night, she issued secretly out of a small postern gate of the castle, which the enemy had neglected to guard.
which person or people
From this reading She was followed by her female attendants, a few domestics, and some gallant cavaliers who still remained faithful to her fortunes.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading When they arrived at the port the wind was high and stormy, the tide contrary, the vessel anchored far off in the road, and no means of getting on board, but by a fishing shallop that lay tossing like a cockle shell on the edge of the surf.
