used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
agencynounUS /ˈeɪdʒənsi/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
(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 The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
anarchicaladjectiveUS /æˈnɑːrkɪkəl/
without law or control
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
anathematized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this, too, the Governor plied a master-hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
blandadjectiveUS /blænd/
lacking taste or flavor or tang
From this reading Now the bland oil was supplanted by salt to rub into the wounds.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now the bland oil was supplanted by salt to rub into the wounds.
defendedverbUS /dɪˈfendəd/
past form of “defend” — argue or speak in defense of
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
diplomacynounUS /dɪˈploʊməsi/
negotiation between nations
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
editornounUS /ˈedətər/
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
Embree's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
excusedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈkjuːzd/
granted exemption
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
firebrandnounUS /ˈfaɪərbrænd/
a piece of wood that has been burned or is burning
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
the head of a state government
From this reading At this, too, the Governor plied a master-hand.
GuardiannounUS /ˈɡɑːrdiən/
a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
healingnounUS /ˈhiːlɪŋ/
the natural process by which the body repairs itself
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
incendiaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsendieri/
involving deliberate burning of property
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now the bland oil was supplanted by salt to rub into the wounds.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
MartnounUS /mɑːrt/
an area in a town where a public mercantile establishment is set up
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
master-hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this, too, the Governor plied a master-hand.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
officiallyadverbUS /əˈfɪʃəli/
in an official role
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
organizeverbUS /ˈɔːrɡənaɪz/
create (as an entity)
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
palliated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
peace-at-any-price
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
pliedverbUS /plaɪd/
inflected form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading At this, too, the Governor plied a master-hand.
propnounUS /prɑːp/
a support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
ralliedverbUS /ˈrælid/
inflected form of “rally” — gather
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
rubverbUS /rʌb/
move over something with pressure
From this reading Now the bland oil was supplanted by salt to rub into the wounds.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading Now the bland oil was supplanted by salt to rub into the wounds.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/
in a grave and sedate manner
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
supplantedverbUS /səˈplæntɪd/
past form of “supplant” — take the place or move into the position of
From this reading Now the bland oil was supplanted by salt to rub into the wounds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this, too, the Governor plied a master-hand.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading At this, too, the Governor plied a master-hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW essential a prop Martin Embree’s influence had been to the threatened fortunes of The Guardian, its editor was now to learn.
in or at the place that
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The “firebrand” interview, given to the papers of the State, in which he solemnly and all but officially anathematized The Guardian as an incendiary and anarchical agency, rallied the forces of peace-at-any-price and helped to organize them for the ruin of The Guardian.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Where, hitherto, the paper had offended, “Smiling Mart” had palliated, explained, excused, defended, spreading the soothing oil of his diplomacy with expert healing.
woundsnounUS /wuːndz/
plural of “wound” — an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading Now the bland oil was supplanted by salt to rub into the wounds.
