used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
AmbassadornounUS /æmˈbæsədər/
a diplomat of the highest rank; accredited as representative from one country to another
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “He will never give that signal,” de Witt had answered, and he believed it.
react verbally
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “He will never give that signal,” de Witt had answered, and he believed it.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading “He will never give that signal,” de Witt had answered, and he believed it.
Binnenhof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
CHALLENGEverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
clamoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
courtesiesnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsiz/
plural of “courtesy” — a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
duelnounUS /ˈduːəl/
a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
formalitiesnounUS /fɔːrˈmælətiz/
a requirement of etiquette or custom
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “He will never give that signal,” de Witt had answered, and he believed it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
heelnounUS /hiːl/
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
and nothing more
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
leaptverbUS /lept/
inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “He will never give that signal,” de Witt had answered, and he believed it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
OrangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
Pomponne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
RepublicnounUS /riˈpʌblək/
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
restorationnounUS /ˌrestərˈeɪʃən/
the reign of Charles II in England; 1660-1685
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
move upward
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
the rays of the sun
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “He will never give that signal,” de Witt had answered, and he believed it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “He will never give that signal,” de Witt had answered, and he believed it.
Witt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHALLENGE A bar of sunshine fell across the quiet room in the Binnenhof, but it did not touch John de Witt, from head to foot he was in shadow.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The French Ambassador had just left him--a duel of words, an exchange of courtesies; through the formalities one sentence of de Pomponne had leapt.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “If the Prince of Orange gave the signal for a restoration … what would rise to answer it?”
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet strange it was for him, First Minister of a Republic almost his creation, to reflect upon this fact--the people of that Republic clamoured for the heir of the House that had threatened to set its heel on them.
