Chapter XI · A King, a Priest and a Boy

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

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

later than; following

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

(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 To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

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

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

a broadax used as a weapon

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

plural of “captor” — a person who captures and holds people or animals

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

serving as an essential component

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

the act of closing something

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

a large gathering of people

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

plural of “conductor” — the person who leads a musical group

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

following accepted customs and proprieties

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

plural of “doorway” — the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

capable of being interpreted in two usually contradictory ways

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

planned and made or fashioned artistically

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

in tiny pieces

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading He returned presently and Joe and I were told to follow him.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

a common white or colorless mineral (hydrated calcium sulphate) used to make cements and plasters (especially plaster of Paris)

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

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

From this reading He returned presently and Joe and I were told to follow him.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading He returned presently and Joe and I were told to follow him.

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

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

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

From this reading He returned presently and Joe and I were told to follow him.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

in a wasteful manner

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

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 After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

plural of “mat” — a thick flat pad used as a floor covering

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

and nothing more

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

not any; not one

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

having official authority or sanction

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

plural of “pearl” — a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

in the near future

From this reading He returned presently and Joe and I were told to follow him.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading He returned presently and Joe and I were told to follow him.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

impressive in appearance

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

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

From this reading Before each doorway stood a guard, armed with a spear and a double-edged battle-ax, the latter fashioned from gypsum by the method employed by the North American Indians.

in or at that place or location

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

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

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

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

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He returned presently and Joe and I were told to follow him.

past form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

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

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading After us came merely a half dozen of our captors, closing the rear, and so in stately procession we tramped down a long corridor and came to the throne room.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

at the time that

From this reading There was a captain of these guards and when one of our conductors spoke to him in a low voice this official disappeared through a central doorway.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

in the company of; together with

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading To our surprise there was no great hall of concourse before us, but an entrance hall from which opened several doorways hung with finely woven mats, all of which were lavishly decorated with conventional designs in pearls.