Chapter XXI

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

(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 If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

for a short time

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

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

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

transmit information

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

plural of “courtier” — an attendant at the court of a sovereign

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

suffering shame

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

one or the other of two

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

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

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

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

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

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

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

lacking power or ability

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading In the sergeant's opinion not a moment was to be lost.

the capital and largest city situated centrally in Spain; home of an outstanding art museum

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

engage in

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

past form of “march” — march in a procession

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

a particular point in time

From this reading In the sergeant's opinion not a moment was to be lost.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

inflected form of “mutiny” — engage in a mutiny against an authority

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

information about recent and important events

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In the sergeant's opinion not a moment was to be lost.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

on one occasion

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading In the sergeant's opinion not a moment was to be lost.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

above and across; more than

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

in the near future

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

recurring again and again

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

Norse chieftain who became the first duke of Normandy (860-931)

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

cut with a saw

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

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

From this reading In the sergeant's opinion not a moment was to be lost.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

not in physical motion

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

cut off or left behind

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading If true, it took away from Rollo at once all hope of the success of his mission.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

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

From this reading Briefly, the boy's news as repeated by La Giralda to the Sergeant, informed Rollo that though the court was presently at La Granja and many courtiers in the village of San Ildefonso, the royal guards through fear and hunger had mutinied and marched back to Madrid, and that the gipsies were gathering among the mountains in order to make a night attack upon the stranded and forsaken court of Spain.

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

From this reading DEEP ROMANY The news which Sergeant Cardono had to communicate was indeed fitted to shake the strongest nerves.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading He saw himself returning disgraced and impotent to the camp of Cabrera, either to be shot out of hand, or worse still, to be sent over the frontier as something too useless and feeble to be further employed.