used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
adornedadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrnd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Breda was an important strategical position.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
BaronsnounUS /ˈbærənz/
plural of “baron” — a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
the two together, not just one
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
Breda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
cavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
a period of 100 years
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
Chalons-Nassau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
companiesnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniːz/
plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
DentaladjectiveUS /ˈdentəl/
of or relating to the teeth
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
increase twofold
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
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 A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
a social unit living together
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
Gertruydenberg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
the head of a state government
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
of great significance or value
From this reading Breda was an important strategical position.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
infantrynounUS /ˈɪnfəntri/
an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
Lanzavecchia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
Merk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
moatnounUS /moʊt/
ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
NassaunounUS /ˈnæsɔː/
the capital of the Bahamas
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
navigableadjectiveUS /ˈnævəɡəbəl/
able to be sailed on or through safely
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
OrangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
palace-fortress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Breda was an important strategical position.
possessionsnounUS /pəˈzeʃənz/
plural of “possession” — the act of having and controlling property
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
PrincesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəz/
plural of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
strategicaladjectiveUS /strəˈtiːdʒɪkəl/
relating to or concerned with strategy
From this reading Breda was an important strategical position.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
strengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈstreŋθənd/
given added strength or support
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
confined on all sides
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Henry of Nassau had, half a century before, adorned and strengthened it by a splendid palace-fortress, which, surrounded by a deep and double moat, thoroughly commanded the town.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A garrison of five companies of Italian infantry and one of cavalry lay in this castle, which was under the command of Edward Lanzavecchia, governor both of Breda and of the neighboring Gertruydenberg.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "The fair and pleasant city of Breda lies on the Merk,--a slender stream navigable for small vessels, which finds its way to the sea through the great canal of the Dental.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been the property of the Princes of Orange, Barons of Breda, and had passed with the other possessions of the family to the house of Chalons-Nassau.
