adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/
the state of being absent
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
absurdadjectiveUS /əbˈsɜːrd/
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
addressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
amblingverbUS /ˈæmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “amble” — walk leisurely
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
Astorre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
astrideadverbUS /əˈstraɪd/
with one leg on each side
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
avenuenounUS /ˈævənuː/
a line of approach
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
beast's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
betideverbUS /bɪˈtaɪd/
become of; happen to
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
briefadjectiveUS /briːf/
of short duration or distance
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
circumspectadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkəmspekt/
heedful of potential consequences
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
digverbUS /dɪɡ/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
ereconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
Fifanti
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
gatenounUS /ɡeɪt/
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
girtverbUS /ɡɜːrt/
inflected form of “gird” — prepare oneself for a military confrontation
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
gownnounUS /ɡaʊn/
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
heelsnounUS /hiːlz/
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
ill-fittingadjective
not the right size or shape
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
informingnounUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
to furnish incriminating evidence to an officer of the law (usually in return for favors)
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
keepverbUS /kiːp/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
likelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪkli/
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
looseadjectiveUS /luːs/
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
meanwhileadverbUS /ˈmiːnwaɪl/
at the same time but in another place
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
mulenounUS /mjuːl/
hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
shoesnounUS /ʃuːz/
a particular situation
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
sidesnounUS /saɪdz/
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the little avenue and out at the gate.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
stirrup-leathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
swordnounUS /sɔːrd/
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
tasksnounUS /tæsks/
plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was late that afternoon when Astorre Fifanti set out.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
woreverbUS /wɔːr/
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He addressed a few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days, betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
