Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

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

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading The other men laughed, but the Carline answered them nought.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

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

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

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

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

United States pioneer who planted apple trees as he traveled (1774-1845)

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

rid of obstructions

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

informal terms for a (young) woman

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

an old word for “before”

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

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

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

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

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

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

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

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 So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading The other men laughed, but the Carline answered them nought.

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

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

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

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

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

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

the force of workers available

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

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

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

not any; not one

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number

From this reading The other men laughed, but the Carline answered them nought.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The other men laughed, but the Carline answered them nought.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

have ownership or possession of

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

large and often sumptuous tent

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

in the near future

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

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

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

cut with a saw

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

only a very short time before

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

an old form of “shall”, used with “thou”

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

having a supporting base

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The other men laughed, but the Carline answered them nought.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

on that

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading Then quoth one of the men to the Carline: "Lo, dame, how likest thou the sight of our master's journey-house?

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

precisely as stated

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

(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 Meseems in an hour's time thou shalt be well on thy journey to hell."

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

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

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

a Caucasian

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.

which person or people

From this reading So down they went, and as they drew nigher they saw a tall black-bearded man standing before the tent door, and presently knew him for the chapman who had been such an ill guest to them at their own house.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They had ridden scarce a three hours ere they came through a cleft in the hills which here were grown somewhat higher and straiter, on to a very fair little valley, well-grassed, and with a stream of clear water running through it; and amidst of the said valley a fair white pavilion pitched, but no coat-armour done thereon.