Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

acted upon; influenced

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

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

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

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

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

a former province of western France in the Loire valley

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

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

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

plural of “baron” — a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

an impressive country house (or castle) in France

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

not characterized by emotion

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

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

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

a steep rugged rock or cliff

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

without light

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

past form of “engineer” — design as an engineer

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

formulation of the plans and important details

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

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

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

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

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

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

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

the longest French river; rises in the Massif Central and flows north and west to the Atlantic Ocean

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

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

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

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

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

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

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

uneasiness about the fitness of an action

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

the act of despoiling a country in warfare

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

plural of “remnant” — a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

larceny by threat of violence

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

express in words

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

take away possessions from someone

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

plural of “stronghold” — a strongly fortified defensive structure

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

third-person singular of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

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

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading It was the threatening age-blackened sort of place that inevitably suggests Fulc of Anjou, strongholds on the Loire, marauding barons, and the good old days with their concomitants of rapine and robbery and death.

very small

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

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

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

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

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

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

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

kept in good condition

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!

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

From this reading Perhaps the gathering night affected me, or the air, which was growing chilly, or the remnants of the village, which were cheerless, to say the least.

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

From this reading THE CASTLE AT PREZELAY In the midst of my triumph, which was as intense as if I myself, instead of pure luck, had engineered our journey, I became aware of a tiny qualm as I sat gazing across the stream.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But that castle, perched so darkly on its crag, with a strip of blood-red sky framing it, was at the heart of my feeling.

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

From this reading If it had been a nice, worldly-looking, well-kept chateau, with poplared walks and a formal garden, I should have welcomed it with open arms; but it wasn’t, decidedly!