used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
(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 He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
any person at all
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
attirenounUS /əˈtaɪər/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
battlementsnounUS /ˈbætəlmənts/
plural of “battlement” — a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
baublenounUS /ˈbɔːbəl/
a mock scepter carried by a court jester
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
conflictingadjectiveUS /kənˈflɪktɪŋ/
in disagreement
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
DWARF'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
an opposing military force
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
at any time
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
fightersnounUS /ˈfaɪtərz/
plural of “fighter” — someone who fights (or is fighting)
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
gaudyadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːdi/
tastelessly showy
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
Jean'snounUS /dʒiːnz/
possessive form of “jean” — a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
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 It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
engage in
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
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 He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
variancenounUS /ˈveriəns/
an event that departs from expectations
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
Vayenne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He barely had a jest for anyone, and earned the opinion that he was a dull fool after all.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was not long before rumors, conflicting and uncertain, began to find their way to Vayenne.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading He spent many lonely hours on the battlements of the West Tower, and for days he did not go outside the castle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE DWARF'S APPEAL Jean's face and manner were more sadly at variance with his gaudy attire than ever.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In the body he was in Vayenne, in spirit he was with the Duke and his sturdy fighters on the frontier, and sometimes with his bauble for sword he would make savage passes at an imaginary enemy.
