used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
weapons considered collectively
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
clenchedadjectiveUS /klentʃt/
closed or squeezed together tightly
From this reading Tightly clenched in her hands were fragments of her torn veil.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
foamnounUS /foʊm/
a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading Tightly clenched in her hands were fragments of her torn veil.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
gallopingverbUS /ˈɡæləpɪŋ/
-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
girdlenounUS /ˈɡɜːrdəl/
an encircling or ringlike structure
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Tightly clenched in her hands were fragments of her torn veil.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Tightly clenched in her hands were fragments of her torn veil.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
knucklesnounUS /ˈnʌkəlz/
(used in the plural) a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
for more time
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
manenounUS /meɪn/
long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
master-key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
not any; not one
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
NUNnounUS /nʌn/
a woman religious
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
palfreynounUS /ˈpælfri/
especially a light saddle horse for a woman
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
Prioressnoun
the superior of a group of nuns
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
prostrateverbUS /ˈprɑːstreɪt/
get into a prostrate position, as in submission
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
regularitynounUS /ˌreɡjəˈlerəti/
a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
reiterationnounUS /riˌɪtərˈeɪʃən/
the act of repeating over and again (or an instance thereof)
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
recurring again and again
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
rhythmicadjectiveUS /ˈrɪðmɪk/
recurring with measured regularity
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
searchinglyadverb
in a searching manner
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
Seraphine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
TightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading Tightly clenched in her hands were fragments of her torn veil.
toesnounUS /toʊz/
plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading Tightly clenched in her hands were fragments of her torn veil.
TrappingsnounUS /ˈtræpɪŋz/
(usually plural) accessory wearing apparel
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading Tightly clenched in her hands were fragments of her torn veil.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
WAYWARDadjectiveUS /ˈweɪwərd/
resistant to guidance or discipline
From this reading THE WAYWARD NUN Sister Mary Seraphine lay prone upon the floor of her cell.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Tightly clenched in her hands were fragments of her torn veil.
at the time that
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Prioress entered, closed the door behind her, and looked searchingly at the prostrate figure; then, lifting the master-key which hung from her girdle, locked the door on the inside.
a Caucasian
From this reading As she lay, she repeated with monotonous reiteration: "Trappings of crimson, and silver bells: mane and tail, like foam of the waves; a palfrey as white as snow!"
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She beat her knuckles upon the stones with rhythmic regularity; then, when her arms would lift no longer, took up the measure with her toes, in wild imitation of a galloping horse.
