Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

possessive form of “baker” — someone who bakes commercially

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

wish harm upon; invoke evil upon

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

a youthful male person

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

plural of “cloister” — residence that is a place of religious seclusion (such as a monastery)

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

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

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

to come or go into

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

an idle worthless person

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

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

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

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

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

an impudent statement

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

projecting inward

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

a tight sleeveless and collarless jacket (often made of leather) worn by men in former times

From this reading "Thou little vain man, in thy red jerkin!

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

fasten with a lock

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

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

From this reading "Thou little vain man, in thy red jerkin!

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

not any; not one

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

above and across; more than

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

look furtively

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading "Thou little vain man, in thy red jerkin!

small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

past form of “shuffle” — walk by dragging one's feet

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

catch sight of

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

the rays of the sun

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

carry out

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

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

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

an old word for “yours”

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

a special situation

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

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

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

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

From this reading "Thou little vain man, in thy red jerkin!

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading "Thou little vain man, in thy red jerkin!

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

a message informing of danger

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

in or at the place that

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

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

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

which person or people

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading As Mary Antony shuffled slowly from the shadow into the sunshine, a gay little flutter of wings preceded her, and a robin perched upon the parapet behind the stone seat upon which it was the lay-sister's custom to await the sound of the turning of the key in the lock of the heavy door beneath the cloisters.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Thou good-for-nothing imp!" exclaimed Mary Antony, her old face crinkling with delight.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Beshrew thine impudence, intruding into a place where women alone do dwell, and no male thing may enter.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading I would have thee take warning by the fate of the baker's boy, who dared to climb into a tree, so that he might peep over the wall and spy upon the holy Ladies in their garden.