Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

an abrupt excited utterance

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

an architectural ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band between the architrave and the cornice

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

a narrow way or road

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

the act of departing

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

in an anxiously nervous manner

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

earlier in time

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

religious residence in a monastery governed by a prior or a convent governed by a prioress

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

having a supporting base

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

successive (without a break)

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

the topmost one of two

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

having a hemispherical vault or dome

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The Prior was already standing by the monk at the upper end, questioning him closely, and glancing nervously this way and that.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Chris heard an exclamation and a sharp indrawing of breath, but was too well trained to ask; so he too dismounted and followed the others into the hall, leaving his beast in the hands of a servant.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE ARENA It was in the evening of a warm May day that the Prior and Chris arrived at the hostelry in Southwark, which belonged to Lewes Priory.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading There were a few servants there, and one or two friends of the Prior waiting at the porch as they arrived; and one of them, a monk himself from the cell at Farley, stepped up to the Prior’s stirrup and whispered to him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was on the south side of Kater Lane, opposite St. Olave’s church, a great house built of stone with arched gates, with a large porch opening straight into the hall, which was high and vaulted with a frieze of grotesque animals and foliage running round it.