Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

feel admiration for

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

(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 No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

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

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

past form of “argue” — present reasons and arguments

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

past form of “arrest” — take into custody

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

a rapid active commotion

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

growing close together but not in dense mats

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

plural of “conjecture” — a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

a female human offspring

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

in a servile manner

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

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

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

on a floor below

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

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

From this reading There were two tables in the principal eating-room.

to come or go into

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

-ing form of “flatten” — make flat or flatter

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

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

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

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

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

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

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

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 Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

a woman host

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

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

From this reading There were two tables in the principal eating-room.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

kept in good condition

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

the force of workers available

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

not any; not one

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

a titled peer of the realm

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

in other respects or ways

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading There were two tables in the principal eating-room.

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

a high-ranking university administrator

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

past form of “scold” — censure severely or angrily

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

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

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

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

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading There were two tables in the principal eating-room.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

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

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were two tables in the principal eating-room.

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

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were two tables in the principal eating-room.

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

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

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

From this reading No, more doubt could be entertained that he was a prisoner of importance, and all kinds of conjectures were made.

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 Inside the inn all was bustle: the serving-lads ran from cellar to garret; the host swore and despatched his servant-girls to the neighbours, and the hostess scolded her daughter, flattening her nose against the panes of a downstairs window to admire the handsome youth.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The horsemen clustered round the young man: one held his stirrup, and the provost deferentially gave way to him to enter the inn first.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading The men maintained that he must be charged with a great crime, otherwise a young nobleman of his rank would never have been arrested; the women argued, on the contrary, that it was impossible for such a pretty youth not to be innocent.