used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
react verbally
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Who is the King?" asked Dimples, curiously.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
exhale hard
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading There you will have to stop until the King comes."
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading "Who is the King?" asked Dimples, curiously.
DimplesnounUS /ˈdɪmpəlz/
plural of “dimple” — a chad that has been punched or dimpled but all four corners are still attached
From this reading "Who is the King?" asked Dimples, curiously.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
drummernounUS /ˈdrʌmər/
someone who plays a drum
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
dungeonnounUS /ˈdʌndʒən/
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There you will have to stop until the King comes."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
inspiritingadjective
cheerfully encouraging
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Who is the King?" asked Dimples, curiously.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading There you will have to stop until the King comes."
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
left-handadjectiveUS /ˌleftˈhænd/
intended for the left hand
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
march in a procession
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
and nothing more
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
squeezedverbUS /skwiːzd/
past form of “squeeze” — to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
stiffenedverbUS /ˈstɪfənd/
past form of “stiffen” — become stiff or stiffer
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading There you will have to stop until the King comes."
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There you will have to stop until the King comes."
for that reason; as a result
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There you will have to stop until the King comes."
the upper part of anything
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
toynounUS /tɔɪ/
an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
trumpetverbUS /ˈtrʌmpət/
proclaim on, or as if on, a trumpet
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
trumpeters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There you will have to stop until the King comes."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Before the toy captain had time to answer, the band of the regiment struck up an inspiriting march.
precisely as stated
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
which person or people
From this reading "Who is the King?" asked Dimples, curiously.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading To be sure, there were only two wooden drummer boys and two wooden trumpeters, of whom one had lost his trumpet and was therefore obliged to blow continually through his stiffened fingers; but for all that they made quite a cheerful noise, and in the middle of it the King mounted the steps and entered the palace.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You will find the dungeon squeezed between the drawing-room and the kitchen, at the very top of the left-hand tower.
