used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
alenounUS /eɪl/
a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
(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 “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Catching sight of Matthew, he went up to him and clapping him on the back, he asked how things were going.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
burlyadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrli/
muscular and heavily built
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
CARLISLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
CatchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading Catching sight of Matthew, he went up to him and clapping him on the back, he asked how things were going.
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading Catching sight of Matthew, he went up to him and clapping him on the back, he asked how things were going.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
cause to move by pulling
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
a boy or man
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
start firing a weapon
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
the act of departing
From this reading Catching sight of Matthew, he went up to him and clapping him on the back, he asked how things were going.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
hostelrynoun
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catching sight of Matthew, he went up to him and clapping him on the back, he asked how things were going.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
Ian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
inquiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
given to inquiry
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
lodgedverbUS /lɑːdʒd/
past form of “lodge” — be a lodger; stay temporarily
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
LuckilyadverbUS /ˈlʌkəli/
by good fortune
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
MatthewnounUS /ˈmæθjuː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
the force of workers available
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
Musgrave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
not any; not one
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
something you have to do
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
approval to do something
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
precisely, exactly
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Catching sight of Matthew, he went up to him and clapping him on the back, he asked how things were going.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “I had some difficulties,” said Wilfred, “but everything is all right now.”
tankardnounUS /ˈtæŋkərd/
large drinking vessel with one handle
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
tankards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Catching sight of Matthew, he went up to him and clapping him on the back, he asked how things were going.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Catching sight of Matthew, he went up to him and clapping him on the back, he asked how things were going.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
at the time that
From this reading On one of these occasions a number of men were seated round the fire with tankards of ale, when a big burly fellow came in and asked mine host to draw him a tankard.
in or at the place that
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
which person or people
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
Wilfred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CARLISLE Luckily Matthew Musgrave, who had given Wilfred permission to go, asked no questions beyond inquiring whether he had settled things to his satisfaction.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Wilfred lodged with Musgrave, but they would often both come round to the hostelry where Ian was.
