used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
terminate
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
permission to do something
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading The Countess of Nithsdale had quitted her husband.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
DrydennounUS /ˈdraɪdən/
the outstanding poet and dramatist of the Restoration (1631-1700)
From this reading Dryden.
extractedverbUS /ekˈstræktɪd/
past form of “extract” — remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
well known or easily recognized
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Countess of Nithsdale had quitted her husband.
Hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading The Countess of Nithsdale had quitted her husband.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
immediately past
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
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 She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
long-wished-for
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
Methinks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
moatnounUS /moʊt/
ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
a particular point in time
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
Nithsdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess of Nithsdale had quitted her husband.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Countess of Nithsdale had quitted her husband.
and nothing more
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
purlieus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess of Nithsdale had quitted her husband.
rous'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
refrain from harming
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Countess of Nithsdale had quitted her husband.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
vowverbUS /vaʊ/
make a vow; promise
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Methinks my soul is rous'd to her last work, Has much to do, and little time to spare.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had gained the long-wished-for consent; she had extracted a vow, a solemn vow, from her lord, and she feared not that he would break it: but never did the difficulties of her undertaking appear to her so appalling as at the present moment; the sentries so innumerable, the guards so alert, the way so long, the walls so lofty, the moat so broad!
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading She wound her solitary way through the dreary purlieus which had become only too familiar to her.
