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 After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

having companions or an escort

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

later than; following

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

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

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

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

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

inflected form of “behold” — see with attention

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

uncannily or threateningly dark or obscure

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

a downward slope or bend

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

capable of being perceived as different or distinct

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

-ing form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

set up or found

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

resembling or characteristic of a phantom

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

understanding with difficulty

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

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

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

someone who hunts game

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

and nothing more

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

and nothing more

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes

From this reading Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

a person who is of equal standing with another in a group

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

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

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

to go back over again

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

capital of the state of Virginia located in the east central part of the state; was capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

(literary) a spirited horse for state of war

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

naturally having skin of a dark color

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

in a swift manner

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

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

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

the sound of heavy treading or stomping

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading But though they ran swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly company.

hard to endure

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

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

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

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

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

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

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound, they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds, galloping furiously down the declivity.

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

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.

during the time that

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

-ing form of “whoop” — shout, as if with joy or enthusiasm

From this reading Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

belonging to which person

From this reading After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just distinguishable through an opening in the trees.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him.