used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
Abil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
quickly and without warning
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
react verbally
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
assignedadjectiveUS /əˈsaɪnd/
appointed to a post or duty
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
dearly loved
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
Boabdil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
Boabdil's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
cordsnounUS /kɔːrdz/
cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
deemedverbUS /diːmd/
past form of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
disordernounUS /dɪˈsɔːrdər/
a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
dungeonnounUS /ˈdʌndʒən/
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
accept an excuse for
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
set up or found
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
Gazan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
GranadanounUS /ɡrəˈnɑːdə/
a city in southeastern Spain that was the capital of the Moorish kingdom until it was captured by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
Jusef
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
lodgeverbUS /lɑːdʒ/
be a lodger; stay temporarily
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
roused to anger
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
mildnessnoun
good weather with comfortable temperatures
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
Muza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
outragenounUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒ/
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
peremptoryadjectiveUS /pərˈemptəri/
offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
a human being
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
PresumingverbUS /prɪˈzuːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “presume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
remonstrateverb
argue in protest or opposition
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
sovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
strongestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋɡəst/
superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
suggestverbUS /səˈdʒest/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
VermilionadjectiveUS /vərˈmɪljən/
of a vivid red to reddish-orange color
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
viziernounUS /vɪˈzɪər/
A high-ranking political advisor or minister to the sovereign monarch.
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be assigned for the outrage.
at the time that
From this reading The old man found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon of the Vermilion Tower.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
but in spite of that
From this reading “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will?
