Chapter XVI

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

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

how long something has existed

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

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

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

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

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

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

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

plural of “atom” — (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

at or toward the back of something

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

put or pin the blame on

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

comparative of “bold” — fearless and daring

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

superlative of “bold” — fearless and daring

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

the two together, not just one

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

perceived or discerned

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

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 If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

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

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

divisible by two

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

prudent

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

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

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

only a very short time before

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

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

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

the force of workers available

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

not any; not one

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

fraught with danger

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

plural of “peril” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

proper respect

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

any red eruption of the skin

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

cut with a saw

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

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

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

dependable

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

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

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

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

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

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

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Slowly and surely the perilous task was done, and the two heroes crawled back through the sheltering trench.

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

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

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

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

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

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

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

From this reading If they were detected by the English (as was likely enough) it was, as both well knew, certain death; but this was the least of their perils, for should the tower give way one second sooner than they had calculated, they would be crushed to atoms by its fall.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.

during the time that

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

which person or people

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

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

From this reading While the pretended soldier was drawing off the attention of those who guarded the tower, two men, fully armed, had crept, one behind the other, along a deep trench that ran close to it, and worming their way beneath the huge fabric, had begun to saw in two the props that supported it!

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The Boldest Deed of All But even had they seen what was passing so near them, the stout Englishmen would hardly have believed their own eyes.

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

From this reading Bolder deed was never done by man, and small blame to the brave English yeomen if they had no suspicion of an attempt which, even in that age of rash and reckless valour, might well have seemed too daring to be possible.