used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
in the past
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And yet would it have been an ordeal?
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
avertverbUS /əˈvɜːrt/
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And yet would it have been an ordeal?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
compulsionnounUS /kəmˈpʌlʃən/
an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
decreeverbUS /dɪˈkriː/
issue a decree
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
demoralisingadjective
destructive of morale and self-reliance
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
dispensationnounUS /ˌdɪspənˈseɪʃən/
an exemption from some rule or obligation
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
ducaladjectiveUS /ˈduːkəl/
of or belonging to or suitable for a duke
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
forthcomingadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/
at ease in talking to others
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And yet would it have been an ordeal?
ignominynounUS /ˈɪɡnoʊmɪni/
a state of dishonor
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
inexorableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈneksərəbəl/
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
INTERNATIONALadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/
concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
ISSUEverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And yet would it have been an ordeal?
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 By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
LicensingverbUS /ˈlaɪsənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “license” — authorize officially
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
lothadjectiveUS /lɑːθ/
unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
mercifuladjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsɪfəl/
showing or giving mercy
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
not any; not one
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
be obedient to
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
and nothing more
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
ordealnounUS /ɔːrˈdiːl/
a severe or trying experience
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
overwroughtadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈrɔːt/
deeply agitated especially from emotion
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
one of four equal parts
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
sublimitynoun
nobility in thought or feeling or style
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
in or at that place or location
From this reading We were loth to obey the inexorable decree of the Licensing Act, but there was no choice.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By that means we were at least spared any further ordeal that might be forthcoming from that quarter.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading That conflict which a little while ago had seemed so demoralising to the overwrought nerves was now only too likely to be hailed as the sublimity of battle.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE By a merciful dispensation, the ducal party withdrew at twenty-five minutes past twelve, doubtless to avert the ignominy of compulsion at the half-hour.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And yet would it have been an ordeal?
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet would it have been an ordeal?
