Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading His appearance was welcomed by a joyful shout from the attendants.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

plural of “attendant” — someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

with no effort to conceal

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

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

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

used of hair; thick and poorly groomed

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

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

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

without stop or interruption

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

the time that the curfew signal is sounded

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

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

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

a man's close-fitting jacket; worn during the Renaissance

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

take in liquids

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

possessive form of “earl” — a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

any material that fills a space or container

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

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

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His appearance was welcomed by a joyful shout from the attendants.

a band (usually elastic) worn around the leg to hold up a stocking (or around the arm to hold up a sleeve)

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

arranged into groups

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

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

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

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

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

the act of retaining something

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

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

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

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

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

full of or producing joy

From this reading His appearance was welcomed by a joyful shout from the attendants.

a large bottle with a narrow mouth

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

United States poet (1869-1950)

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

used to form the superlative

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

not any; not one

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

another word for person; a person not meriting identification

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

a twilled woolen fabric

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)

From this reading His appearance was welcomed by a joyful shout from the attendants.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

offering safety; well protected or concealed

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

plural of “steed” — (literary) a spirited horse for state of war

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

dependable

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

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

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

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

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

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

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

up to a particular time

From this reading Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of the Garter--a snug little hostel, situated immediately beneath the Curfew Tower.

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

From this reading His appearance was welcomed by a joyful shout from the attendants.

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading His appearance was welcomed by a joyful shout from the attendants.

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

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

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

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their steeds by the bridles.

a city in southeastern Ontario on the Detroit River opposite Detroit

From this reading “Come, my masters!” he cried, filling the horn, “here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jolly-looking personage, with a bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a foaming jug of ale and a horn cup.