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 “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading We are but puppets that the great lords play against each other.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Not upon our right, but on the quarrel between Warwick and the House of Rivers.

exhale hard

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

take away possessions from someone

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

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

From this reading What does my chance of recovering our throne rest upon?

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading We are but puppets that the great lords play against each other.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Not upon our right, but on the quarrel between Warwick and the House of Rivers.

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

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading We are but puppets that the great lords play against each other.

engage in

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading What does my chance of recovering our throne rest upon?

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not upon our right, but on the quarrel between Warwick and the House of Rivers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Not upon our right, but on the quarrel between Warwick and the House of Rivers.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading We are but puppets that the great lords play against each other.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading What does my chance of recovering our throne rest upon?

participate in games or sport

From this reading We are but puppets that the great lords play against each other.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

plural of “puppet” — a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer

From this reading We are but puppets that the great lords play against each other.

an angry dispute

From this reading Not upon our right, but on the quarrel between Warwick and the House of Rivers.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

returning to health after illness or debility

From this reading What does my chance of recovering our throne rest upon?

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading What does my chance of recovering our throne rest upon?

precisely, exactly

From this reading Not upon our right, but on the quarrel between Warwick and the House of Rivers.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Not upon our right, but on the quarrel between Warwick and the House of Rivers.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

express in words

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

term of address for a man

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.

From this reading What does my chance of recovering our throne rest upon?

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

deprive of certain characteristics

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading What does my chance of recovering our throne rest upon?

plural of “vassal” — a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

English statesman; during the War of the Roses he fought first for the house of York and secured the throne for Edward IV and then changed sides to fight for the house of Lancaster and secured the throne for Henry VI (1428-1471)

From this reading Not upon our right, but on the quarrel between Warwick and the House of Rivers.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We are but puppets that the great lords play against each other.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What does my chance of recovering our throne rest upon?

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.

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

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “That would be a good time indeed, Sir Thomas,” the queen said, with a smile; “but methinks there is but little chance of its coming about, for at present it seems to me that the vassals are better able to make or unmake kings, than kings are able to deprive the great vassals of power; and never since Norman William set foot in England were they more powerful than they are at present.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Did it depend upon my will, it should be as you say; I would crush them all at a blow.