Chapter XXXI

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

plural of “ability” — the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

how long something has existed

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

a cherished desire

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

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

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

the estate of a baron

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

Italian pope whose nepotism put the Borgia family in power in Italy (1378-1458)

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

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

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

at any time

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

a piece of land held under the feudal system

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

surrendered as a penalty

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

past form of “garrison” — station (troops) in a fort or garrison

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

the property possessed by something or someone of outstanding importance or eminence

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

of great significance or value

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

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 The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

not any; not one

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

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

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, used for writing.

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry (necklace or earring)

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

unusual or striking

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

move upward

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

cut with a saw

From this reading He saw before him along career of greatness, and he calculated that, step by step, as Cæsar Borgia rose, he must rise with him.

a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

make tight; secure against leakage

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

carry out

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

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

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

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

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

without scruples or principles

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

precisely as stated

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

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

From this reading The first great step he had ever been able to take in that high road of ambition which he had so long been eager to follow was now taken.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

during the time that

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ramiro d'Orco sat in his own splendid room while rumours of the death of the unfortunate Duke of Gandia spread consternation through the city; but he had before him a parchment with a large pendant seal, which gave him the important ecclesiastical fief of Imola, and he thought of little else.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He did not over-estimate at all the abilities of that very remarkable man; and it was no wild calculation to presume that, with such abilities, with such courage, with such ambition, and without a scruple, Cæsar Borgia, in that unscrupulous age, must rise to the highest point of power and dignity.

resist or confront with resistance

From this reading True, the town of Imola had its own lords; true, it was strongly garrisoned; but the barony had been declared forfeited to the Holy See, and the fortifications were too much decayed to withstand a siege.