used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading PROSERPINA Francesco arrived at Avellino at dusk.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PROSERPINA Francesco arrived at Avellino at dusk.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
Avellino
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSERPINA Francesco arrived at Avellino at dusk.
bow-men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
dismounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
drawbridgenounUS /ˈdrɔːbrɪdʒ/
a bridge that can be raised to block passage or to allow boats or ships to pass beneath it
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading PROSERPINA Francesco arrived at Avellino at dusk.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
Francesco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSERPINA Francesco arrived at Avellino at dusk.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
hallwaynounUS /ˈhɔːlweɪ/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
loungingverbUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
and nothing more
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
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 Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
PROSERPINAnounUS /proʊˈsɜːrpənə/
goddess of the underworld; counterpart of Greek Persephone
From this reading PROSERPINA Francesco arrived at Avellino at dusk.
reinsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
steednounUS /stiːd/
(literary) a spirited horse for state of war
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
undecidedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/
not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
ViceroynounUS /ˈvaɪsrɔɪ/
governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign
From this reading Seeing a page lounging in the hallway, he inquired if the Viceroy was in his apartments.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Throwing the reins of his steed to an attendant, Francesco dismounted and entered the castle, undecided what to do first.
at the time that
From this reading It was the hour when the castle courtyard was comparatively deserted.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Only two bow-men guarded the lowered drawbridge, and they paid little heed to the familiar form of the youth as he slowly rode through the gate.
