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 Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

(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 In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

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

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

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

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

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

From this reading Now, Florian was no coward, and, as the saying is, beggars cannot be choosers.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

for the reason that

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

plural of “beggar” — a pauper who lives by begging

From this reading Now, Florian was no coward, and, as the saying is, beggars cannot be choosers.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

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

From this reading Now, Florian was no coward, and, as the saying is, beggars cannot be choosers.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

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

From this reading Now, Florian was no coward, and, as the saying is, beggars cannot be choosers.

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

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

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

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

a person who shows fear or timidity

From this reading Now, Florian was no coward, and, as the saying is, beggars cannot be choosers.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

look down on with disdain

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

a sorcerer or magician

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

a boy or man

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

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

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

plural of “goblin” — (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

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

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

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

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

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

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

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

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

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

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

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

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

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

From this reading Now, Florian was no coward, and, as the saying is, beggars cannot be choosers.

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

not any; not one

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

above and across; more than

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Now, Florian was no coward, and, as the saying is, beggars cannot be choosers.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

make square

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

a request to be present

From this reading In spite of the horseman's summons, however, the pages paid no attention to him at all.

carry out

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

causing extreme terror

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

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

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

the swift release of a store of affective force

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

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

From this reading Suddenly a black knight, mounted on a black horse and leading another horse by the bridle, clattered over the cobble-stones of the square, and taking his place by the fountain, called on the pages to come to him.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

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

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Isabella, or, as she now called herself, Florian, strode boldly over and joined this group, her heart beating high with the thrill of the great adventure.

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

From this reading Curious to know the reason of this disdain, Florian questioned a fellow page, and was told that the knight was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Rock, and that no page or squire would take service with him because his castle was haunted by goblins, ghosts, and all manner of terrifying spirits.