used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
azurenounUS /ˈæʒər/
a light shade of blue
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
bleedingnounUS /ˈbliːdɪŋ/
the flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
caitiffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
cloudlessadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdləs/
free from clouds
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
cordsnounUS /kɔːrdz/
cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading “Curse the traitors--they have their deserts!”
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
death-writhen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
desertsnounUS /ˈdezərts/
plural of “desert” — arid land with little or no vegetation
From this reading “Curse the traitors--they have their deserts!”
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
gibbetnoun
alternative terms for gallows
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
depressingly dark
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
gratedverbUS /ˈɡreɪtɪd/
past form of “grate” — furnish with a grate
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
groaningverbUS /ˈɡroʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Curse the traitors--they have their deserts!”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
omennounUS /ˈoʊmən/
a sign of something about to happen
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
a human being
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
Red-Chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
swordsnounUS /sɔːrdz/
plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
toweringadjectiveUS /ˈtaʊərɪŋ/
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
From this reading The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
traitorsnounUS /ˈtreɪtərz/
plural of “traitor” — someone who betrays his country by committing treason
From this reading “Curse the traitors--they have their deserts!”
treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
wailverbUS /weɪl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
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 The Duke looked over his shoulder and beheld through the opened window the black and gloomy timbers of a gibbet towering like an evil omen high over the walls of the castle, and backed by the soft azure of a cloudless summer night.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The beams of the moon fell upon ten ghastly and death-writhen faces and ten figures swung to and fro, while the groaning cords as they grated against the creaking timbers over their heads, seemed shaking their death wail.
which person or people
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
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 “As for the others--” he finished the sentence by pointing to the arched window of the Red-Chamber.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Of the fifty treacherous caitiffs who raised their swords against the person of your grace, forty lie bleeding and dead upon the cavern floor.
