used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
BURROWnounUS /ˈbɜːroʊ/
a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter
From this reading THE FOX'S BURROW.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
chalkyadjective
composed of or containing or resembling calcium carbonate or calcite or chalk
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
constrainingadjectiveUS /kənˈstreɪnɪŋ/
restricting the scope or freedom of action
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
Cramoisy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
datesnounUS /deɪts/
plural of “date” — the specified day of the month
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
direadjectiveUS /daɪr/
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
dugnounUS /dʌɡ/
an udder or breast or teat
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
divisible by two
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
far-back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
FOX'SnounUS /ˈfɑːksəz/
possessive form of “fox” — alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading THE FOX'S BURROW.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
grottonounUS /ˈɡrɑːtoʊ/
a small cave (usually with attractive features)
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
an established custom
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
havings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
not accessible to view
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
leaguesnounUS /liːɡz/
plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
massacreverbUS /ˈmæsəkər/
kill a large number of people indiscriminately
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
mattocknoun
a kind of pick that is used for digging; has a flat blade set at right angles to the handle
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
Nointel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
NormannounUS /ˈnɔːrmən/
United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
Normans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
offersnounUS /ˈɔːfərz/
plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
Oise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
select carefully from a group
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
pillagenounUS /ˈpɪlɪdʒ/
goods or money obtained illegally
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
raidingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdɪŋ/
characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
rowingnounUS /ˈroʊɪŋ/
the act of rowing as a sport
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
seigniorial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
SeinenounUS /seɪn/
a French river that flows through the heart of Paris and then northward into the English Channel
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
serfsnounUS /sɜːrfs/
plural of “serf” — (Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
SommenounUS /sɔːm/
battle of World War II
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
that is looked for
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
subterraneanadjectiveUS /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FOX'S BURROW.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
thickestadjectiveUS /ˈθɪkɪst/
superlative of “thick” — not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Carrying thither their little havings, and even cattle, they remained hidden until the pirates left the country.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading About two leagues from the village of Cramoisy, and in the thickest of the seigniorial forest of Nointel, is a vast subterranean grotto, cut into the chalky rock that offers little resistance to the pick and the mattock.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
at the time that
From this reading The cavern dates from the far-back troubled days when the Norman pirates were in the habit of rowing up the Somme, the Seine and the Oise and raiding the surrounding lands.
which person or people
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
belonging to which person
From this reading Such of the serfs whose dire misery did not reach the pitch of constraining them to join the Normans, and who sought to escape the flood of pillage and massacre, had dug the underground place of refuge.
