used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
accountsnounUS /əˈkaʊnts/
plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
adoptingverbUS /əˈdɑːptɪŋ/
-ing form of “adopt” — choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
AlarmingadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
(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 She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
brought into existence
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
canopynounUS /ˈkæn.ə.pi/
An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
championsnounUS /ˈtʃæmpiənz/
plural of “champion” — someone who has won first place in a competition
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
communicatedverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “communicate” — transmit information
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
confidedverbUS /kənˈfaɪdɪd/
past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
carefully weighed
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
counsellorsnounUS /ˈkaʊnsələrz/
plural of “counsellor” — someone who has supervisory duties at a summer camp
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
at any time
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
with resolute determination
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
insurgentsnounUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrdʒənts/
plural of “insurgent” — a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
IsabellanounUS /ˌɪzəˈbelə/
the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
measuresnounUS /ˈmeʒərz/
plural of “measure” — any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
not any; not one
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
pervadedverbUS /pərˈveɪdɪd/
past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
preservationnounUS /ˌprezərˈveɪʃən/
the activity of protecting something from loss or danger
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
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 _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
rebelsnounUS /ˈrebəlz/
plural of “rebel” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
reliedverbUS /rɪˈlaɪd/
inflected form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
possessing material wealth
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
only a very short time before
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
staturenounUS /ˈstætʃər/
high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Isabella could scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of dignity which pervaded her every action.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading _Shakespeare._ Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the preservation of her power.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
the topmost one of two
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
valournoun
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet.
belonging to which person
From this reading She summoned around her all those counsellors in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
but in spite of that
From this reading We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
