Chapter XX

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

giving an advantage

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

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

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

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

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

a region marking a boundary

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

without stop or interruption

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

detect with the senses

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading How Sir Otto once more encountered his Double-goer.

past form of “encounter” — come together

From this reading How Sir Otto once more encountered his Double-goer.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

republic in northern Europe; achieved independence from Russia in 1917

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

plural of “fog” — droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

possessive form of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

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

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

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

From this reading How Sir Otto once more encountered his Double-goer.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

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

From this reading How Sir Otto once more encountered his Double-goer.

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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 The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

the common people generally

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading How Sir Otto once more encountered his Double-goer.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

on one occasion

From this reading How Sir Otto once more encountered his Double-goer.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading How Sir Otto once more encountered his Double-goer.

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

a very steep cliff

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

continue talking

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

past form of “rejoice” — feel happiness or joy

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

term of address for a man

From this reading How Sir Otto once more encountered his Double-goer.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

(literary) a spirited horse for state of war

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

from that place or that time

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

the upper part of anything

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

soldiers collectively

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

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

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

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

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading On the hill-top the rock was cleft into two great masses, as by a giant’s sword.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

at the time that

From this reading When he was lost in these reflections, lo! there appeared, through the morning fogs, a tall figure of an armed knight on the opposite half of the cleft rock.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The morning had now dawned; the Knight of Trautwangen had left his faithful steed in charge of his comrades, and mounted up to the top of a steep hill, that he might discern from thence in what direction the pursuit could best be continued;--whether they should proceed farther through the valleys, or now retreat by the way they had come.

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

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading On the brink of the precipice stood Sir Otto, and rejoiced to perceive that he had advanced far beyond the Finland frontier, and that his troops could now assume a station which would be greatly more commanding and advantageous than any that they had hitherto possessed.