used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/
reveal unintentionally
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
of short duration or distance
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
CalderonnounUS /ˈkɔːldərɑːn/
Spanish poet and dramatist considered one of the great Spanish writers (1600-1681)
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
capricenounUS /kəˈpriːs/
a sudden desire
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
cloisterverbUS /ˈklɔɪstər/
surround with a cloister, as of a garden
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
courtiernounUS /ˈkɔːrtiər/
an attendant at the court of a sovereign
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
despotismnounUS /ˈdespətɪzəm/
dominance through threat of punishment and violence
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
explanationsnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
the organ of sight
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
death of a person
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
monosyllables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
necessitiesnounUS /nəˈsesɪtiz/
plural of “necessity” — the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/
go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
slavishadjectiveUS /ˈsleɪvɪʃ/
blindly imitative
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
steadfastadjectiveUS /ˈstedfæst/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition.
symptomsnounUS /ˈsɪmptəmz/
plural of “symptom” — (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
taciturnadjectiveUS /ˈtæsɪtɜːrn/
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
in or at that place or location
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The business for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to retire.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the royal chamber, before a table covered with papers, sat the King and his secretary.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to him, “The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him since your return?”
