used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
archwaynounUS /ˈɑːrtʃweɪ/
a passageway under a curved masonry construction
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
barricadenounUS /ˈbærəkeɪd/
a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc.
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
besiegers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
breastworknoun
fortification consisting of a low wall
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
brigands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
copsenoun
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
the first light of day
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
endeavoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
an opposing military force
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
exposingverbUS /ɪkˈspoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “expose” — expose or make accessible to some action or influence
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
start firing a weapon
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
fossenounUS /fɑːs/
ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
gapnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
glimmeringnounUS /ˈɡlɪmərɪŋ/
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
incautiouslyadverb
without caution or prudence
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
ineffectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈfektʃuːəl/
not producing an intended effect
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
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 The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
MaxnounUS /mæks/
street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
the force of workers available
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
in motion
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
musketrynoun
musketeers and their muskets collectively
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
information about recent and important events
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
on one occasion
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
and nothing more
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
palisadesnounUS /ˌpælɪˈseɪdz/
plural of “palisade” — fortification consisting of a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
with speed
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
cut with a saw
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
propel through the air
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
up to a particular time
From this reading The long palisades were slowly reared on end, and lowered as slowly across the fosse, till the end nearer to Harry rested on the base of the barricade beneath the archway.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
the upper part of anything
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
traverseverbUS /ˈtrævərs/
travel across or pass over
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
the topmost one of two
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading The enemy came forward rapidly, took up the palisades they had vainly endeavoured to throw across the fosse on the previous day, and under cover of the parapet began to rear them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading As Harry had feared, musketry fire from the castle was almost wholly ineffectual: only the men on the top of the keep got an occasional chance as the besiegers incautiously moved away from their breastwork, thus exposing the upper part of their bodies.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the cool glimmering dawn of that June morning Harry was awakened by Max with the news that the brigands were moving from the copse.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading He hastened at once to his post, and saw that the parapet extended for some twenty yards along the farther side of the fosse, with a gap in the centre protected by a traverse.
