used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
(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 He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
avariciousadjective
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
beaknounUS /biːk/
beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
black-mustached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
caravansnounUS /ˈkærəvænz/
plural of “caravan” — a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
Cimmerianadjective
intensely dark and gloomy as with perpetual darkness
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
Conan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
conclusionsnounUS /kənˈkluːʒənz/
plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
cursedadjectiveUS /kɜːrst/
deserving a curse; sometimes used as an intensifier
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
divisible by two
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
the organ of sight
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
opinion or judgment
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
glimpsedverbUS /ɡlɪmpst/
past form of “glimpse” — catch a glimpse of or see briefly
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
gristnounUS /ɡrɪst/
grain intended to be or that has been ground
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
hawksnounUS /hɔːks/
plural of “hawk” — diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
men-at-arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
plate-armor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
predatoryadjectiveUS /ˈpredətɔːri/
characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
pursenounUS /pɜːrs/
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
ridersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
ruthlessadjectiveUS /ˈruːθləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
Identical; not different.
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
scarredadjectiveUS /skɑːrd/
deeply affected or marked by mental or physical pain or injury
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
spearmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
tollnounUS /toʊl/
a fee levied for the use of roads or bridges (used for maintenance)
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading He had not hoped much from the solitary rider he had glimpsed from his tower, but all was grist that came to his mill.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
Valbroso
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
warsnounUS /wɔːrz/
plural of “war” — the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Of late the toll of the caravans had been slim, and Valbroso cursed the civil wars that stripped the roads of their fat traffic, even while he blessed them for the free hand they allowed him with his neighbors.
which person or people
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
in the company of; together with
From this reading * * * * * Valbroso rode down with his men-at-arms, a lean, dark man with glittering eyes and a predatory beak of a nose.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He wore black plate-armor and was followed by thirty spearmen, black-mustached hawks of the border wars, as avaricious and ruthless as himself.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading With a practised eye he took in Conan's worn mail and dark, scarred face, and his conclusions were the same as those of the riders who had passed the Cimmerian on the road--an empty purse and a ready blade.
