used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
acresnounUS /ˈeɪkərz/
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
ambushedverbUS /ˈæmbʊʃt/
past form of “ambush” — wait in hiding to attack
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
APEMAMA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
armourynoun
a collection of resources
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
boilingnounUS /ˈbɔɪlɪŋ/
the application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
crones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
encloses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
eunuchs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
haremnounUS /ˈherəm/
living quarters reserved for wives and concubines and female relatives in a Muslim household
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
a social unit living together
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
includesverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdz/
third-person singular of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
inconspicuousadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈkɑːnspɪkwəs/
not prominent or readily noticeable
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
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 There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
lagoonnounUS /ləˈɡuːn/
a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
fasten with a lock
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
not any; not one
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
many times at short intervals
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
and nothing more
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
palisadenounUS /ˌpælɪˈseɪd/
fortification consisting of a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
paradenounUS /pərˈeɪd/
a ceremonial procession including people marching
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
pluckverbUS /plʌk/
pull or pull out sharply
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
on the contrary
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
only a very short time before
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
the underside of footwear or a golf club
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
speciallyadverbUS /ˈspeʃəli/
in a special manner
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
syrupnounUS /ˈsɜːrəp/
a thick sweet sticky liquid
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
tyrantnounUS /ˈtaɪrənt/
a cruel and oppressive dictator
From this reading By day, these crones were often engaged in boiling syrup or the like household occupation; by night, they lay ambushed in the shadow or crouched along the palisade, filling the office of eunuchs to this harem, sole guards upon a tyrant life.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading There is no parade of guards, soldiers, or weapons; the armoury is under lock and key; and the only sentinels are certain inconspicuous old women lurking day and night before the gates.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These are scarce intended for defence; a man, if he were strong, might easily pluck down the palisade; he need not be specially active to leap from the beach upon the terrace.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A terrace encloses it toward the lagoon; on the side of the land, a palisade with several gates.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading THE KING OF APEMAMA: THE PALACE OF MANY WOMEN The palace, or rather the ground which it includes, is several acres in extent.
