used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
quickly and without warning
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
arbournounUS /ˈɑːrbər/
a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the floor of a church.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
basilnounUS /ˈbæzəl/
any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
bloomedverbUS /bluːmd/
past form of “bloom” — produce or yield flowers
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
the lower side of anything
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
bowersnounUS /ˈbaʊərz/
plural of “bower” — a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
bright-hued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the floor of a church.
cisternnounUS /ˈsɪstərn/
a sac or cavity containing fluid especially lymph or cerebrospinal fluid
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
comprisedverbUS /kəmˈpraɪzd/
past form of “comprise” — be composed of
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the floor of a church.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
dragonsnounUS /ˈdræɡənz/
plural of “dragon” — a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
enclose with a fence
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
flaggingnounUS /ˈflæɡɪŋ/
flagstones collectively
From this reading In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the floor of a church.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the floor of a church.
flower-pots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
fruit-orchard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
heliotropenounUS /ˈhiːliətroʊp/
green chalcedony with red spots that resemble blood
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
immaculateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmækjuːlɪt/
completely neat and clean
From this reading In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the floor of a church.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
jawsnounUS /dʒɔːz/
plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
Julian's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
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 Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
mallnounUS /mɔːl/
a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
moatnounUS /moʊt/
ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
coated with paint
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
having a point
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
rain-spouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
representingverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “represent” — take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the floor of a church.
confined on all sides
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
tilesnounUS /taɪlz/
plural of “tile” — a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
in the direction of
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the floor of a church.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
window-sill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE CURSE Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of a hill, in the heart of the woods.
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading A second enclosure, surrounded by a fence, comprised a fruit-orchard, a garden decorated with figures wrought in bright-hued flowers, an arbour with several bowers, and a mall for the diversion of the pages.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in painted flower-pots.
