Chapter XI

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

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

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

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

react verbally

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

next to; at the side of

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

very pleasing to the eye

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

the two together, not just one

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

the lower side of anything

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

lacking funds

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

past form of “circle” — travel around something

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

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

From this reading OF THE SLAYING OF DARIUS.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

at any time

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

start firing a weapon

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

set up or found

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

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

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

press or grind with a crushing noise

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

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

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

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

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

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

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

the back of a horse

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

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

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

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 But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

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

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

the force of workers available

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OF THE SLAYING OF DARIUS.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

above and across; more than

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

past form of “rein” — control and direct with or as if by reins

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

precisely, exactly

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

move upward

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

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

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

cut with a saw

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

to cause to separate and go in different directions

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

in a vehement outcry

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being

From this reading OF THE SLAYING OF DARIUS.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

in the near future

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

hurting

From this reading Now when he came to the shore he was amazed, for there was neither fire nor light, so he called to the Greek knight, and when he came up he questioned him, and he found him sore afraid, “for,” said he, “a great dragon has circled me about for hours, so that I feared to raise my head.”

inflected form of “spur” — incite or stimulate

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

(literary) a spirited horse for state of war

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

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

From this reading OF THE SLAYING OF DARIUS.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

up to a particular time

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

having come into contact

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

in the direction of

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

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

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

at the time that

From this reading But Alexander had ridden out into the night, and knew not at first in what direction he was riding, but soon, when the lights borne by the mounted men began to scatter over the fields, he reined in his bonny steed and looked up to the sky, and there low down he saw the seven stars rising from the plain, and he turned his horse’s head and rode slowly towards them, and ever he waited for some sign, for he knew that he was coming near the river Granton.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.

during the time that

From this reading But while he was waiting he saw a great flame rise in the air far on his left hand, and its rays lay along a stretch of smooth ice, and beside it was a man on horseback, and he knew him for his companion that he had left at the river, and he shouted to him in the Greek tongue, and when he heard the answer he spurred his horse and rode on to the ice.

but in spite of that

From this reading But it was well for him that the fire was before him, for far on the right the river ice began to crack and grind, since it was not yet firm, and suddenly his horse slipped and both sank into the river; and the man struggled out by the help of the thin ice which broke off piece by piece before him till he touched bottom, but the good steed was belike struck by the ice, for it sank and was drowned.