adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
AndrewnounUS /ˈændruː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
BannernounUS /ˈbænər/
long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
blowverbUS /bloʊ/
exhale hard
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
dealtverbUS /delt/
inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
diedverbUS /daɪd/
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
echoesnounUS /ˈekoʊz/
plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
fearfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪrfəl/
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
Hassan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
helplessadjectiveUS /ˈhelpləs/
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
holdingnounUS /ˈhoʊldɪŋ/
the act of retaining something
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
leapedverbUS /lept/
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
lettingnounUS /ˈletɪŋ/
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
moveverbUS /muːv/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
painnounUS /peɪn/
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
paralysed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
ringedadjectiveUS /rɪŋd/
shaped like a ring
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
rolledadjectiveUS /roʊld/
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
SaladinnounUS /ˈsælədɪn/
sultan of Syria and Egypt; reconquered Jerusalem from the Christians in 1187 but was defeated by Richard Coeur de Lion in 1191 (1137-1193)
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
shatteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərd/
ruined or disrupted
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
shouldersnounUS /ˈʃoʊldərz/
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
spinenounUS /spaɪn/
the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
unshornadjective
not sheared
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Before Sir Andrew could turn to see whence the sound came, that axe dealt him a fearful blow between the shoulders which, although the ringed mail remained unshorn, shattered his spine beneath.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading In the silence that followed he spoke in a heavy voice, letting his eyes rest upon the man who had struck him down.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Down he fell, rolled on to his back, and lay there, still able to speak and without pain, but helpless as a child.
woodenadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdən/
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The Banner of Saladin As the echoes of Hassan’s whistle died away there was a crash amongst the wooden shutters of the window behind them, and down into the room leaped a long, lithe figure, holding an axe aloft.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For he was paralysed, and never more would move hand or foot or head.
