used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading So, when all the knights had taken oath, to each was returned his arms, and him the emperor greeted as friend.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
Banf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
baronessnounUS /ˈberənɪs/
a noblewoman who holds the rank of baron or who is the wife or widow of a baron
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
broken-spirited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
castle'snounUS /ˈkæsəlz/
possessive form of “castle” — a large and stately mansion
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
conquerverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkər/
bring under control by force or authority
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading So, when all the knights had taken oath, to each was returned his arms, and him the emperor greeted as friend.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
fealtynounUS /ˈfiːəlti/
the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading So, when all the knights had taken oath, to each was returned his arms, and him the emperor greeted as friend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
HapsburgnounUS /ˈhæpsbərɡ/
a royal German family that provided rulers for several European states and wore the crown of the Holy Roman Empire from 1440 to 1806
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
HerrnounUS /her/
a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
knightsnounUS /naɪts/
plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
set down according to a plan
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
immediately past
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
liegenounUS /liːdʒ/
a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
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 Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
held dear
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
engage in
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
the force of workers available
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
mindedadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪndəd/
(used in combination) mentally oriented toward something specified
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
not able to be found
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
the middle of the day
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
oathnounUS /oʊθ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading So, when all the knights had taken oath, to each was returned his arms, and him the emperor greeted as friend.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
outlawnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔː/
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
on the contrary
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading So, when all the knights had taken oath, to each was returned his arms, and him the emperor greeted as friend.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
Rudolf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
Rudolf's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
rulernounUS /ˈruːlər/
a person who rules or commands
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, when all the knights had taken oath, to each was returned his arms, and him the emperor greeted as friend.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
Swartzburg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
sworeverbUS /swɔːr/
inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading So, when all the knights had taken oath, to each was returned his arms, and him the emperor greeted as friend.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
at the time that
From this reading It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him.
which person or people
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
belonging to which person
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
