used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
accordedverbUS /əˈkɔːrdɪd/
past form of “accord” — go together
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
ariseverbUS /ərˈaɪz/
come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
aristocracynounUS /ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
ascribeverbUS /əˈskraɪb/
attribute or credit to
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
BAKER'SnounUS /ˈbeɪkərz/
possessive form of “baker” — someone who bakes commercially
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be.
beliefsnounUS /bɪˈliːfs/
plural of “belief” — any cognitive content held as true
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
boastfullyadverb
in a boastful manner
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
CharlemagnenounUS /ˈʃɑːrləmeɪn/
king of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor; conqueror of the Lombards and Saxons (742-814)
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
ConquerornounUS /ˈkɑːŋkərər/
someone who is victorious by force of arms
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
a female human offspring
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
disturbingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
a social unit living together
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
fortiethnounUS /ˈfɔːrtiɪθ/
position 40 in a countable series of things
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
harkingverbUS /ˈhɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “hark” — listen; used mostly in the imperative
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
instancesnounUS /ˈɪnstənsəz/
plural of “instance” — an occurrence of something
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may be.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
Majesties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be.
the force of workers available
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
monarchsnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrks/
plural of “monarch” — a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
morganatically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
much-married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
not any; not one
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
nobilities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
populationnounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈleɪʃən/
the people who inhabit a territory or state
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
so-calledadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/
doubtful or suspect
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
suppositionnounUS /ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
in or at that place or location
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
thirtiethadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːrtiəθ/
coming next after the twenty-ninth in position
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
transmissibleadjective
(of disease) capable of being transmitted by infection
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
unsupportedadjectiveUS /ənsəˈpɔːrtɪd/
not sustained or maintained by nonmaterial aid
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But continually there arise disturbing instances to upset us in our beliefs regarding aristocracy.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their Majesties were active, morganatically at least no doubt, much-married men!
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have built up a pretty fiction regarding so-called blue blood, on the flattering, but wholly unsupported supposition that royal qualities are transmissible to the thirtieth and fortieth generation; so that 'tis a poor American family indeed can not boast its coat of arms, harking back to royal days of Charlemagne or William the Conqueror.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER I A large part of our ambitious American population is prone boastfully to ascribe its origin to one or other of those highly respectable, if really little known monarchs to whom is commonly accorded the foundation of Old World nobilities.
