used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
ASSOCIATIONnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading THE POWER OF ASSOCIATION.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
chateaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
consumedverbUS /kənˈsuːmd/
past form of “consume” — eat up completely, as with great appetite
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/
formed or developed from something else; not original
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
eminencenounUS /ˈemənəns/
high status importance owing to marked superiority
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
exciteverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪt/
arouse or elicit a feeling
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
extensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
exteriornounUS /ɪkˈstɪriər/
the region that is outside of something
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
feudaladjectiveUS /ˈfjuːdəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of feudalism
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
fortificationsnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
measuringnounUS /ˈmeʒərɪŋ/
the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
mobnounUS /mɑːb/
a disorderly crowd of people
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
not any; not one
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
occupyingverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE POWER OF ASSOCIATION.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
out-buildings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
possessors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading THE POWER OF ASSOCIATION.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
reignverbUS /reɪn/
have sovereign power
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
not used up
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
repairnounUS /rɪˈper/
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
sackedadjectiveUS /sækt/
having been robbed and destroyed by force and violence
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
Identical; not different.
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
seigniornoun
a man of rank in the ancient regime
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/
plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
strongholdsnounUS /ˈstrɔːŋhoʊldz/
plural of “stronghold” — a strongly fortified defensive structure
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was one of the few old feudal strongholds still remaining in France that had not been suffered to go to decay by its possessors.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE POWER OF ASSOCIATION.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
up to a particular time
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As the boys returned by the same road, which presented no new objects to excite their curiosity, much less time was consumed in measuring the same distance; and they ascended the eminence upon which the castle was situated, and stood before its principal entrance long before night.
which person or people
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been the property of a grand seignior (derived from his ancestors), who, having built a modern chateau near it, with extensive stables and other out-buildings, kept the old castle in complete repair, till sacked by a mob during the reign of terror.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It had evidently been a place of great strength, but occupying so much space that a large garrison would be required to man its exterior fortifications.
