used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
abreastadjectiveUS /əˈbrest/
being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
matters of personal concern
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
anew
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
agentsnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənts/
plural of “agent” — an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
(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 England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
the two together, not just one
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
Campion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
for the most part
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
countermines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
to or in any or all places
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
to an extreme degree
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
grievouslyadverbUS /ˈɡriːvəsli/
in a grievous manner
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
honeycombedadjective
pitted with cell-like cavities (as a honeycomb)
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
inauguratedverbUS /ɪˈnɔːɡəreɪtɪd/
past form of “inaugurate” — commence officially
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
minesnounUS /maɪnz/
plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
and nothing more
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
a human being
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
Queen'snounUS /kwiːnz/
possessive form of “queen” — 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 The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
the act of searching for something
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
term of address for a man
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
spiesnounUS /spaɪz/
plural of “spy” — (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
superintendencenoun
management by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
treatynounUS /ˈtriːti/
a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
Walsingham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY Sir Francis Walsingham sat in his private room a month after Father Campion's death.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The secret detective service that he had inaugurated in England chiefly for the protection of the Queen's person was a vast and complicated business, and the superintendence of this, in addition to the other affairs of his office, made him an exceedingly busy man.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
in or to any place at all
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading England was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world, and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them.
people who are wounded
From this reading His spies and agents were everywhere; and not only in England: they circled round Mary of Scotland like flies round a wounded creature, seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to France in connection with a new treaty between that country and England in the previous year.
