used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
alenounUS /eɪl/
a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
antlersnounUS /ˈæntlərz/
plural of “antler” — deciduous horn of a member of the deer family
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
basnet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
beefnounUS /biːf/
cattle that are reared for their meat
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
borderers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
give encouragement to
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
conspicuousadjectiveUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəs/
obvious to the eye or mind
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
curch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
deckedverbUS /dekt/
past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
digestionnounUS /daɪˈdʒestʃən/
the process of decomposing organic matter (as in sewage) by bacteria or by chemical action or heat
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
extremitynounUS /ekˈstreməti/
an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
festivitynounUS /feˈstɪvəti/
any joyous diversion
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
foamingadjectiveUS /ˈfoʊmɪŋ/
emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
depressingly dark
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
HermitagenounUS /ˈhɜːrmətədʒ/
the abode of a hermit
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
hilaritynounUS /hɪˈlerəti/
great merriment
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
interruptverbUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpt/
make a break in
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
jointsnounUS /dʒɔɪnts/
plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
lancenounUS /læns/
a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
light-heartedadjective
carefree and happy and lighthearted
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
without good reason
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
lilynounUS /ˈlɪli/
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
master-spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
measuresnounUS /ˈmeʒərz/
plural of “measure” — any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
meditationsnounUS /ˌmedɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “meditation” — continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
mirthnounUS /mɜːrθ/
great merriment
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
moroseadjectiveUS /mərˈoʊs/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
muttonnounUS /ˈmʌtən/
meat from a mature domestic sheep
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
not any; not one
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
oatenadjective
of or related to or derived from oats
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
prevailedverbUS /prɪˈveɪld/
past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
promotesverbUS /prəˈmoʊts/
third-person singular of “promote” — contribute to the progress or growth of
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
smackedverbUS /smækt/
past form of “smack” — deliver a hard blow to
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
stag's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
steamedadjectiveUS /stiːmd/
cooked in steam
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
the topmost one of two
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The master-spirit, gloomy, morose, and preoccupied, walked to and fro under the stag’s antlers, at the extremity of the hall, and no man dared to question or interrupt his meditations.
wandnounUS /wɑːnd/
a rod used by a magician or water diviner
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
nonexistent
From this reading The preparations, indeed, smacked of good cheer, but the hilarity which promotes digestion was wanting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
accept gladly
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was in vain that large joints of beef and mutton steamed on the long tables, and ample baskets, piled to the edge with coarse oaten bread, stood side by side with deep measures of foaming ale below the salt, while a modest display of plate, in which one or two church ornaments were conspicuous, decked the upper end of the board.
widow'snounUS /ˈwɪdoʊz/
possessive form of “widow” — a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
willownounUS /ˈwɪloʊ/
any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading ‘Oh! is my basnet a widow’s curch, Or my lance a wand of the willow tree, Or my arm a lady’s lily hand, That an English lord should lightly me?’
in the company of; together with
From this reading Unusual silence prevailed in the lofty hall of Hermitage, and the dinner hour, commonly one of mirth and festivity, arrived with a solemn gravity, by no means welcome to the light-hearted borderers.
