used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
arrowsnounUS /ˈæroʊz/
plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
the two together, not just one
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
burntadjectiveUS /bɜːrnt/
ruined by overcooking
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
EarlsnounUS /ɜːrlz/
plural of “earl” — a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
the act of departing
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
King'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
lattices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
lordsnounUS /lɔːrdz/
plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
the force of workers available
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
paddedadjectiveUS /ˈpædɪd/
softened by the addition of cushions or padding
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
rappedverbUS /ræpt/
inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
recessverbUS /rɪˈses/
put into a recess
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
SalisburynounUS /ˈsælzbəri/
the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
sconcesnounUS /ˈskɑːnsɪz/
plural of “sconce” — a shelter or screen providing protection from enemy fire or from the weather
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
shorteradjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtər/
comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The shorter of the two had opened one of the lattices, and was kneeling with one knee on the padded seat.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
sillnounUS /sɪl/
structural member consisting of a continuous horizontal timber forming the lowest member of a framework or supporting structure
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
targetnounUS /ˈtɑːrɡət/
a reference point to shoot at
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
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 In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
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 A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
WarwicknounUS /ˈwɔːrwɪk/
English statesman; during the War of the Roses he fought first for the house of York and secured the throne for Edward IV and then changed sides to fight for the house of Lancaster and secured the throne for Henry VI (1428-1471)
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading He rapped with his fingers on the stone sill, and watched the sentinels going to and fro upon the walls, and the river sliding smoothly under the stars.
in or at the place that
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/
plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
a Caucasian
From this reading In this window recess in the south wall of the White Tower two men stood talking in whispers—great lords both of them, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The window was full of the deep blue gloom of a summer night, with stars shining like the feathers of silver arrows shot into a target.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading A black curtain shut off the window recess from the King’s council chamber within, where candles burnt in sconces on the walls.
