used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
AssumingadjectiveUS /əˈsuːmɪŋ/
excessively forward
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this display did not satisfy Mapleson.
Cicero's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But this display did not satisfy Mapleson.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
disappointingadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
not up to expectations
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading But this display did not satisfy Mapleson.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
exaggeratedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪtəd/
represented as greater than is true or reasonable
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
promote over another
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
fluencynounUS /ˈfluːənsi/
powerful and effective language
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
Geoffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
Mapleson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this display did not satisfy Mapleson.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But this display did not satisfy Mapleson.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
off-handadverb
without preparation
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
orationsnounUS /ɔːˈreɪʃənz/
plural of “oration” — an instance of oratory
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
oratornounUS /ˈɔːrətər/
a person who delivers a speech or oration
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
recitationnounUS /ˌresəˈteɪʃən/
written matter that is recited from memory
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
recitingverbUS /riˈsaɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “recite” — recite in elocution
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
remarkingverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
renderingnounUS /ˈrendərɪŋ/
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
reversedadjectiveUS /rɪˈvɜːrst/
turned inside out and resewn
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
uttered with a trill
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading But this display did not satisfy Mapleson.
sentencesnounUS /ˈsentənsəz/
plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
spell-boundadjective
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
having a supporting base
From this reading He insisted that Geoffrey should give a recitation in a reversed position—the speaker standing on his head.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this display did not satisfy Mapleson.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Accordingly Geoffrey smiled and bowed, remarking, in an off-hand way:
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading Assuming a somewhat exaggerated attitude of dignity, he began reciting one of Cicero’s orations, rendering it in the original with perfect ease and fluency, while his audience listened as if spell-bound to the smoothly rolling sentences.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I fear that my powers as orator will be somewhat disappointing to you, gentlemen; nevertheless, I will favor you to the extent of my ability.”
