Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

quickly and without warning

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

how long something has existed

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

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

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

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

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

(plural) the deepest and most remote part

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

king of Northumbria who was converted to Christianity (585-633)

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading It was evidently a time of listlessness and peace.

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

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

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

in a gradual manner

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

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

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

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

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

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

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

situated away from an area's coast or border

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was evidently a time of listlessness and peace.

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

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

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

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

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

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

a feeling of lack of interest or energy

From this reading It was evidently a time of listlessness and peace.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

the force of workers available

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

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

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading It was evidently a time of listlessness and peace.

cuttings of plants set in the ground to grow as hawthorn for hedges or vines

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

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

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

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

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

a male human offspring

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

confined on all sides

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

confined or restricted with or as if with a rope or chain

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

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

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

in or at that place or location

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

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

From this reading This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son of Kinemund, King of the Mercians.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was evidently a time of listlessness and peace.

in the direction of

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

a river in central England that flows generally northeastward to join with the Ouse River and form the Humber

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-seven and one

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

the topmost one of two

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

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

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

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

From this reading Large bodies of men and many tethered horses were at the foot of the slope.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading EDWIN In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was a wide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground sloping gently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensive range of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by a quickset hedge.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

a late time of life

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Under the hedge, a few paces from the gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age, with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him.