adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It has been a fashion to call Charles the Second ‘The Merry Monarch.’
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It has been a fashion to call Charles the Second ‘The Merry Monarch.’
benightedadjectiveUS /bɪˈnaɪtɪd/
overtaken by night or darkness
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
blessedadjectiveUS /blest/
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
callverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It has been a fashion to call Charles the Second ‘The Merry Monarch.’
CALLEDverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
CHARLESnounUS /tʃɑːrlz/
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
committingverbUS /kəˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “commit” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
CourtnounUS /kɔːrt/
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
drinkingnounUS /ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ/
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
ENGLANDnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
fancynounUS /ˈfænsi/
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
fashionnounUS /ˈfæʃən/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It has been a fashion to call Charles the Second ‘The Merry Monarch.’
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/
highest in quality
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has been a fashion to call Charles the Second ‘The Merry Monarch.’
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
ill-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
indulgingnounUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/
the act of indulging or gratifying a desire
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It has been a fashion to call Charles the Second ‘The Merry Monarch.’
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
kingdomnounUS /ˈkɪŋdəm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
kingsnounUS /kɪŋz/
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
lordsnounUS /lɔːrdz/
plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
MERRYadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
MONARCHnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrk/
a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
noblestadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊblɪst/
superlative of “noble” — impressive in appearance
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
nosenounUS /noʊz/
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
portraitnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrət/
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
profligatenounUS /ˈprɔːflɪɡeɪt/
a dissolute man in fashionable society
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
SECONDnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
surroundedadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪd/
confined on all sides
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
swarthyadjectiveUS /ˈswɔːrði/
naturally having skin of a dark color
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
thronenounUS /θroʊn/
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It has been a fashion to call Charles the Second ‘The Merry Monarch.’
tryverbUS /traɪ/
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
vagabondsnounUS /ˈvæɡəbɑːndz/
plural of “vagabond” — anything that resembles a vagabond in having no fixed place
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
viciousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪʃəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND, CALLED THE MERRY MONARCH There never were such profligate times in England as under Charles the Second.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Let me try to give you a general idea of some of the merry things that were done, in the merry days when this merry gentleman sat upon his merry throne, in merry England.
WheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
WhitehallnounUS /ˈwaɪthɔːl/
a wide street in London stretching from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament; site of many government offices
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
wisestadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzəst/
superlative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading The first merry proceeding was—of course—to declare that he was one of the greatest, the wisest, and the noblest kings that ever shone, like the blessed sun itself, on this benighted earth.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
worstnounUS /wɜːrst/
the least favorable outcome
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Whenever you see his portrait, with his swarthy, ill-looking face and great nose, you may fancy him in his Court at Whitehall, surrounded by some of the very worst vagabonds in the kingdom (though they were lords and ladies), drinking, gambling, indulging in vicious conversation, and committing every kind of profligate excess.
