Chapter I · Chapter 1

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

a church associated with a monastery or convent

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

(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 All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

eagerly desirous

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading Like the kings of Egypt, he had built his tomb.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

(American football) a successful forward pass in football

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high or sacred purpose

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

recovery or preservation from loss or danger

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

possessive form of “edward” — King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC

From this reading Like the kings of Egypt, he had built his tomb.

time without end

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

easily broken or damaged or destroyed

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Like the kings of Egypt, he had built his tomb.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

defying expression or description

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a small island

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Like the kings of Egypt, he had built his tomb.

immediately past

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like the kings of Egypt, he had built his tomb.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

in a grave and sedate manner

From this reading But a few days before the new-built Abbey had been solemnly consecrated; with the completion of that holy edifice, Edward's life itself seemed done.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

(often followed by “of” or “to”) yielding readily to or capable of

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

filled with great numbers crowded together

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)

From this reading Like the kings of Egypt, he had built his tomb.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading All the river before the palace was crowded with boats; all the broad space on the Isle of Thorney itself, thronged with anxious groups.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without the walls of the palace, through the whole city of London, the excitement was indescribable.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading It was the eve of the 5th of January--the eve of the day announced to King Edward as that of his deliverance from earth; and whether or not the prediction had wrought its own fulfilment on the fragile frame and susceptible nerves of the King, the last of the line of Cerdic was fast passing into the solemn shades of eternity.