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 When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

anew

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

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

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

bring under control by force or authority

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

a harsh hoarse utterance (as of a frog)

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

a sorcerer or magician

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

at any time

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

(folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

the act of departing

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

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

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

a boy or man

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

not any; not one

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

above and across; more than

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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 So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

yielding a fair profit

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

plural of “presence” — the state of being present; current existence

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

showing possibility of achievement or excellence

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

plural of “raven” — large black bird with a straight bill and long wedge-shaped tail

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

bring to an end; settle conclusively

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

receiving deferential regard

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

plural of “reward” — a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

possessing material wealth

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

an old form of “shall”, used with “thou”

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

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

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

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

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

precisely as stated

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

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

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "Very well," said the Enchanter, who respected the courage of the brave page, "thou shalt do as thou desirest.

at the time that

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

which person or people

From this reading At first, to be sure, he had to struggle to conquer his fear of some of the goblins; but as time passed and no ghost or goblin ever ventured to annoy him, he grew accustomed to their presences and ended by paying no more attention to them than he paid to the great ravens who flew croaking over the mire.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading When this second year was up, however, Florian felt a longing to see the world again, and told the Enchanter that he must be going.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.

a late time of life

From this reading And true to this resolve the lad remained during the years he spent in the service of the Enchanter.

but in spite of that

From this reading So faithful and courageous was the little page that, when his year was up, the Enchanter begged him to remain yet another year, promising him rich rewards if he stayed.