used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading He caught his breath the next morning at the imposing aspect of the place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading He caught his breath the next morning at the imposing aspect of the place.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading He caught his breath the next morning at the imposing aspect of the place.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
city-gates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
dominantadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːmənənt/
exercising influence or control
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
encirclingadjectiveUS /enˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
divisible by two
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
fortress-palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
Francesco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
highwaysnounUS /ˈhaɪweɪz/
plural of “highway” — a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He caught his breath the next morning at the imposing aspect of the place.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
the quality of being humane
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
imposingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
impressive in appearance
From this reading He caught his breath the next morning at the imposing aspect of the place.
impregnableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpreɡnəbəl/
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
intrudersnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdərz/
plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
lodgingnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋ/
structures collectively in which people are housed
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
for more time
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
machicolated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
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 In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He caught his breath the next morning at the imposing aspect of the place.
in motion
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading He caught his breath the next morning at the imposing aspect of the place.
not any; not one
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
PAWNnounUS /pɔːn/
an article deposited as security
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
phantomnounUS /ˈfæn.təm/
A ghost or apparition; a figment of the imagination or a hidden dweller.
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He caught his breath the next morning at the imposing aspect of the place.
popenounUS /poʊp/
the head of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
proudlyadverbUS /ˈpraʊdli/
with pride; in a proud manner
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
rampartsnounUS /ˈræmpɑːrts/
plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
Romagna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading The machicolated heights, the encircling ramparts, the stern outlines of the fortress-palace of the pope, rose proudly impregnable in the air.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
the rays of the sun
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
TuscanynounUS /ˈtʌskəni/
a region in central Italy
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
UmbrianounUS /ˈʌmbriə/
a mountainous region in central Italy
From this reading On the broad highways from Umbria, Tuscany and Romagna, even at this early hour, an almost endless stream of humanity was moving.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
at the time that
From this reading THE PAWN OF THE CHURCH When Francesco arrived on the height it was the hour of the closing of the city-gates and he took lodging at an inn situated near the city walls.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In the young sunshine its many towers were no longer phantom intruders on the sky, but a dominant fact.
