used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Conachúr mac Nessa was preparing a feast.
(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 A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
aristocracynounUS /ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
artsnounUS /ɑːrts/
studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
banquetsnounUS /ˈbæŋkwəts/
plural of “banquet” — a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
Conachúr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conachúr mac Nessa was preparing a feast.
connoisseurnounUS /ˌkɑːnəˈsɜːr/
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
craftsnounUS /kræfts/
plural of “craft” — the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
excellencenounUS /ˈeksələns/
the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
fathersnounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading Conachúr mac Nessa was preparing a feast.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
gravesnounUS /ɡreɪvz/
English writer known for his interest in mythology and in the classics (1895-1985)
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
an established custom
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
a social unit living together
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
macnounUS /mæk/
a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
From this reading Conachúr mac Nessa was preparing a feast.
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 A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
meritnounUS /ˈmerət/
any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
Nessa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conachúr mac Nessa was preparing a feast.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
notableadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəbəl/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
a human being
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Conachúr mac Nessa was preparing a feast.
privilegenounUS /ˈprɪvlədʒ/
a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Conachúr mac Nessa was preparing a feast.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A king was then close to his people, and he was by training and habit a connoisseur in many things which all could understand.
which person or people
From this reading Household banquets were common matters at his court, but this was to be a State banquet, and every person who could be thought of as noble or notable was invited to the Red Branch.
belonging to which person
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Those who were foremost in learning, the arts, or the crafts, had the privilege of visiting the king equally with those whose merit rose from their fathers’ graves or their skill at arms.
élite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As well as an aristocracy of birth there was in every Irish court an élite of excellence.
