used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
(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 Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
appointverbUS /əˈpɔɪnt/
create and charge with a task or function
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
BEAUMONTnounUS /ˈboʊmɔːnt/
United States surgeon remembered for his studies of digestion (1785-1853)
From this reading BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
deem to be
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
devolveverbUS /dɪˈvɑːlv/
pass on or delegate to another
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
entailedverbUS /ɪnˈteɪld/
past form of “entail” — have as a logical consequence
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
apart from; not including
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
FLETCHERnounUS /ˈfletʃər/
prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579-1625)
From this reading BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
incumbrancenoun
a charge against property (as a lien or mortgage)
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
Maristow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
and nothing more
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
outliveverbUS /ˌaʊtˈlɪv/
live longer than
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
an amount of time
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
promotionnounUS /prəˈmoʊʃən/
a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
restrictionnounUS /riˈstrɪkʃən/
a principle that limits the extent of something
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
an educational institution
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
not often
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
a male human offspring
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
SpainnounUS /speɪn/
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
Villiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
at the time that
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
in or at the place that
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Alas! he knows The laws of Spain appoint me for his heir; That all must come to me, if I outlive him, Which sure I must do, by the course of nature.
which person or people
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
widowernounUS /ˈwɪdoʊər/
a man whose wife is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Edward Villiers was the only child of a man of considerable fortune, who had early in life become a widower.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His son's home was at Maristow Castle, when not at school; and the father seldom remembered him except as an incumbrance; for his estate was strictly entailed, so that he could only consider himself possessed of a life interest in a property, which would devolve, without restriction, on his more fortunate son.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading From the period of this event, Colonel Villiers (for his youth had been passed in the army, where he obtained promotion) had led the careless life of a single man.
