used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
archersnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃərz/
plural of “archer” — a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
armournounUS /ˈɑːrmər/
a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
in a state of sleep
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
basinetnoun
a medieval steel helmet
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
the act of burning something
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
CavendishnounUS /ˈkævəndɪʃ/
British chemist and physicist who established that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen and who calculated the density of the earth (1731-1810)
From this reading Cavendish had mounted one of the horses.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Cavendish had mounted one of the horses.
harnessverbUS /ˈhɑːrnəs/
put a harness
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
Knollys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
mimicnounUS /ˈmɪmɪk/
someone who mimics (especially an actor or actress)
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading Cavendish had mounted one of the horses.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Cavendish had mounted one of the horses.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
padnounUS /pæd/
a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
porternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading The porter was ready to unbar the gate.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The porter was ready to unbar the gate.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
rushlightnoun
a tallow candle with a rush stem as the wick
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
spiresnounUS /spaɪrz/
plural of “spire” — a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
torchesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃɪz/
plural of “torch” — a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
unbarverb
remove a bar from (a door)
From this reading The porter was ready to unbar the gate.
vizornoun
a piece of armor plate (with eye slits) fixed or hinged to a medieval helmet to protect the face
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
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 Five horses and a pad were waiting, and four archers stood in the shadow of the wall, leaning on their bows.
WardrobenounUS /ˈwɔːrdroʊb/
a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
belonging to which person
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then Knollys, in light harness, came down into the courtyard, and with him a tall man in black armour, the vizor of whose basinet was closed.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading London was asleep, a mere confusion of black roofs and spires without a lantern or a rushlight shining to mimic the stars; but at the Wardrobe torches were burning in the narrow courtyard within the gate.
