Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

later than; following

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

a friendly nation

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

move towards

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

forbid the public distribution of ( a movie or a newspaper)

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

surrounded by hostile forces

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading This nymph was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the name of the Lady of the Lake.

a region marking a boundary

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

a former province of northwestern France on a peninsula between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

the act of burning something

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

a young person of either sex

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

A fortress protecting a city, metaphorically representing the invincible inner sanctuary of the rational mind.

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

characterized by great determination

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

a sorcerer or magician

From this reading This nymph was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the name of the Lady of the Lake.

an opposing military force

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

having come to an end or become void after passage of a period of time

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

an external body part that projects from the body

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

a fortified defensive structure

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading This nymph was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the name of the Lady of the Lake.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading This nymph was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the name of the Lady of the Lake.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

immediately past

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

the act of departing

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

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 LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

(Arthurian legend) the magician who acted as King Arthur's advisor

From this reading This nymph was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the name of the Lady of the Lake.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading This nymph was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the name of the Lady of the Lake.

a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading This nymph was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the name of the Lady of the Lake.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

(classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

cut with a saw

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

the chief steward or butler of a great household

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

plural of “sigh” — an utterance made by exhaling audibly

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

a male human offspring

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

past form of “surrender” — give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading The flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate monarch during his flight and he expired with grief.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This nymph was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the name of the Lady of the Lake.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

in or at the place that

From this reading LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his enemy.

which person or people

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading The wretched Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child.