used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
astrologynounUS /əˈstrɑːlədʒi/
a pseudoscience claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moon
From this reading He had been in many countries and learnt many things, including astrology.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
make calm or still
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He had been in many countries and learnt many things, including astrology.
provide a cure for, make healthy again
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
disposalnounUS /dɪˈspoʊzəl/
the power to use something or someone
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
emirnounUS /ɪˈmɪr/
an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in Africa or Arabia)
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
foster-sisternoun
your foster sister is a female who is not a daughter of your parents but who is raised by your parents
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
the act of departing
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
inabilitynounUS /ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading He had been in many countries and learnt many things, including astrology.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
justlyadverbUS /ˈdʒʌstli/
with honesty
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading He had been in many countries and learnt many things, including astrology.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
Majesty'snounUS /ˈmædʒəstiz/
possessive form of “majesty” — impressiveness in scale or proportion
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
Marzavan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
monarchnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrk/
a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
NeedlessadjectiveUS /ˈniːdləs/
unnecessary and unwarranted
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
nurse'snounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪz/
possessive form of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
express in words
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
a male human offspring
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
suitorsnounUS /ˈsuːtərz/
plural of “suitor” — a man who courts a woman
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Needless to say that one of the first things his mother told him was the sad condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
travelsnounUS /ˈtrævəlz/
plural of “travel” — the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Now it happened that after things had been going on in this way for some time the nurse's son Marzavan returned from his travels.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
which person or people
From this reading The emir, who had expected to hear the princess talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she was, assured the king that he could not venture to undertake a cure, but placed his head at his Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated monarch promptly had it cut off.
belonging to which person
From this reading This was the first of many suitors for the princess whose inability to cure her cost them their lives.
