used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
actorsnounUS /ˈæktərz/
plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
BitternessnounUS /ˈbɪtərnəs/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
chariotnounUS /ˈtʃeriət/
a light four-wheel horse-drawn ceremonial carriage
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
confederatesnounUS /kənˈfedərəts/
plural of “confederate” — a supporter of the Confederate States of America
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
contestsnounUS /ˈkɑːntests/
plural of “contest” — an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
Cornelia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
EgyptiannounUS /ɪˈdʒɪpʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Egypt
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
the organ of sight
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
Fabia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
fetes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
gymnasiumnounUS /dʒɪmˈneɪziəm/
a school for students intermediate between elementary school and college; usually grades 9 to 12
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
for more time
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
characterized by grandeur
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
the force of workers available
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
not any; not one
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
Pompeius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
Pothinus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
prizesnounUS /ˈpraɪzəz/
plural of “prize” — something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
racesnounUS /ˈreɪsəz/
plural of “race” — any competition
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
cut with a saw
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
snuffedverbUS /snʌft/
past form of “snuff” — sniff or smell inquiringly
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
stadiumnounUS /ˈsteɪdiəm/
a large structure for open-air sports or entertainments
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To the outward eye nothing could be more decorous and magnificent than the pleasures of the Egyptian king.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Her own life and that of Fabia, she realized, would be snuffed out in a twinkling, by Pothinus and his confederates, the instant they saw in such a deed the least advantage.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
unendingadjectiveUS /əˈnendɪŋ/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
weepverbUS /wiːp/
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The splendid life of the court at the garrison city went on; there was an unending round of fetes, contests in the gymnasium and stadium; chariot races; contests of poets and actors for prizes in dramatic art.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
at the time that
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Bitterness and Joy I Cornelia knew not whether to be merry or to weep when the report of the fate of Pompeius reached her.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That she would be delivered up to her uncle was no longer to be dreaded; but into the hands of what manner of men had she herself fallen?
