used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
a quantity of money
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
captivesnounUS /ˈkæptɪvz/
plural of “captive” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
custodynounUS /ˈkʌstədi/
a state of being confined (usually for a short time)
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
disproportionateadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːrʃənɪt/
out of proportion
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
divisible by two
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
HarbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
conformity or harmony
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
immediately past
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
fasten with a lock
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
the force of workers available
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
not any; not one
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
overpowerverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈpaʊər/
overcome by superior force
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
provisionnounUS /prəˈvɪʒən/
a stipulated condition
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
SAXONnounUS /ˈsæksən/
a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest
From this reading THE SAXON.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “I shall send him to the camp at the Great Harbour,” said the Count, a few days after the scene described in our last chapter.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
survivornounUS /sərˈvaɪvər/
one who lives through affliction
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SAXON.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
a source of difficulty
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
except if; if not
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “It is quite impossible to keep him unless we chain him hand and foot, or set half a dozen men to guard him; and even then he is such a giant that he might easily overpower them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was not easy to know what should be done with the survivor of the two Saxon captives.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The villa had no proper provision for the safe custody of prisoners; and the problem of keeping a man under lock and key, without a quite disproportionate amount of trouble, was as difficult as it would be in the ordinary country house of modern times.
