Chapter XI

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

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

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

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

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

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

achieved or reached

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

shining intensely

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

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

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

terminate

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

a town in northern France on the Strait of Dover that serves as a ferry port to England

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

give encouragement to

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

according with custom or propriety

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

inflected form of “dub” — give a nickname to

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

plural of “englishman” — a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

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

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

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

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

start firing a weapon

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

-ing form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

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

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

brought together in one place

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

in a joyous and gleeful manner

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

depressingly dark

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

favorable to life and growth

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

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

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

French poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in France (1802-1885)

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

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

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

a boy or man

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

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

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

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 “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

take in marriage

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

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

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

(used in combination) mentally oriented toward something specified

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

above and across; more than

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

have ownership or possession of

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

provide with choice or abundant food or drink

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

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 A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

(of meat) full of sinews; especially impossible to chew

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

in a singular manner or to a singular degree

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

to a small degree or extent

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

plural of “spur” — a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

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

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

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

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

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

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

the topmost one of two

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

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

From this reading “Under whose banner fight we to-night, brother Hugo?” asked a slim, handsome lad of his neighbour, whose comely face was a singularly exact copy of his own.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “We English are hospitable folk, and care not how many guests come to taste our New Year’s cheer; but methinks these gallants will find it somewhat hard for their French teeth!”

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

belonging to which person

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading “They are minded, doubtless,” laughed another, “to break their fast in Calais town on the New Year morn; and so indeed they shall—as prisoners!”

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

but in spite of that

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading A Midnight Battle Night had fallen over Calais on New Year’s Eve, cold, gloomy, threatening; and around a blazing fire in an upper chamber of the great tower flanking the Boulogne Gate were gathered a group of stalwart young Englishmen in full armour, whose silver spurs told that they had already attained the rank of esquires, though they were not yet “dubbed knights.”

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading “Marry, these Frenchmen will have such a regale this night as they little expect,” said a tall youth, rubbing his sinewy hands gleefully.