adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/
in the past
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
avoidverbUS /əˈvɔɪd/
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
bedchambernounUS /ˈbedtʃeɪmbər/
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
broodedverbUS /ˈbruːdɪd/
past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
burnedadjectiveUS /bɜːrnd/
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
carefuladjectiveUS /ˈkerfəl/
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
chinknounUS /tʃɪŋk/
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
clankverbUS /klæŋk/
make a clank
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
commandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
cuirassiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
dogsnounUS /dɑːɡz/
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
DresdennounUS /ˈdrezdɪn/
a city in southeastern Germany on the Elbe River; it was almost totally destroyed by British air raids in 1945
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
drewnounUS /druː/
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
fallingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
gentlyadverbUS /ˈdʒentli/
in a gradual manner
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
guardroomnoun
a cell in which soldiers who are prisoners are confined
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
householdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/
a social unit living together
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
instructornounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/
past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
kingnounUS /kɪŋ/
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
kingdomnounUS /ˈkɪŋdəm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
laughnounUS /læf/
the sound of laughing
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
leftnounUS /left/
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 cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
loudadjectiveUS /laʊd/
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
medievaladjectiveUS /mɪˈdiːvəl/
relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
merelyadverbUS /ˈmɪrli/
and nothing more
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
noblesnounUS /ˈnoʊbəlz/
plural of “noble” — a titled peer of the realm
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
offendernounUS /əˈfendər/
a person who transgresses moral or civil law
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
reclinedverbUS /rɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “recline” — move the upper body backwards and down
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
removedadjectiveUS /riˈmuːvd/
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
requiredadjectiveUS /riˈkwaɪərd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
restedadjectiveUS /ˈrestəd/
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
revelsnounUS /ˈrevəlz/
plural of “revel” — unrestrained merrymaking
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
sabernounUS /ˈseɪbər/
a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
scowlingadjectiveUS /ˈskaʊlɪŋ/
sullen or unfriendly in appearance
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
solitaryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləteri/
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
spurnounUS /spɜːr/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
tilingnoun
the application of tiles to cover a surface
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
TwentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
unluckyadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
walknounUS /wɔːk/
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
warningnounUS /ˈwɔːrnɪŋ/
a message informing of danger
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although the royal bedchamber was many doors removed, the Captain had issued a warning against any unnecessary noise.
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/
look attentively
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The cuirassiers stationed in the guardroom of the royal palace walked gently on the tiling, when occasion required them to walk, and when they entered or left the room, they were particularly careful to avoid the chink of the spur or the clank of the saber.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A loud laugh, or the falling of a saber carelessly rested, drew upon the unlucky offender the scowling eyes of the commander, who reclined in front of the medieval fireplace, in which a solitary log burned, and brooded over past and present.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Twenty years ago the commander had come from Dresden as an instructor in arms, and after the first year had watched over the royal household, in the service of the late king and the king who lay dying.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The high revels in the guardroom were no more, the cuirassiers were no longer made up of the young nobles of the kingdom; they were now merely watch dogs.
