used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
addsnounUS /ædz/
plural of “add” — a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
have
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
cherishedadjectiveUS /ˈtʃerɪʃt/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
chivalrousadjective
being attentive to women like an ideal knight
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
clingverbUS /klɪŋ/
come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
compensatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpənseɪtəd/
receiving or eligible for compensation
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/
entailing great loss or sacrifice
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
cultnounUS /kʌlt/
followers of an exclusive system of beliefs and practices
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
deploreverbUS /dɪˈplɔːr/
express strong disapproval of
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
excellencenounUS /ˈeksələns/
the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
a social unit living together
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
hallowedadjectiveUS /ˈhæloʊd/
worthy of religious veneration
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
heirloomnounUS /ˈerluːm/
(law) any property that is considered by law or custom as inseparable from an inheritance is inherited with that inheritance
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
hereditaryadjectiveUS /hərˈedəteri/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
the state of being honored
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
immediately past
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
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 THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
licencenounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/
excessive freedom; lack of due restraint
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
loyaltynounUS /ˈlɔɪəlti/
the quality of being loyal
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
the force of workers available
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
by chance
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
any competition
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
recognitionnounUS /ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃən/
the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
sacrificesnounUS /ˈsækrəfaɪsɪz/
plural of “sacrifice” — the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
sanctionnounUS /ˈsæŋkʃən/
formal and explicit approval
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
statecraftnounUS /ˈsteɪtkræft/
wisdom in the management of public affairs
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
TraditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
unhonoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
unpractisedadjective
not having had extensive practice
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/
plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Tradition adds new sanction to the cherished excellence; it becomes the heirloom of the house, the mark of the race--in the end, perhaps, a superstition before which greater things go down.
which person or people
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading Wisdom has little part in the cult, and the virtues that are not hallowed by hereditary recognition are apt to go unhonoured and unpractised.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE LAST CARD In most families--at least among those that have any recorded history to boast of or to deplore--there is a point of family pride: with one it is grace of manner; with another, courage; with a third, statecraft; with a fourth, chivalrous loyalty to a lost cause or a fallen prince.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading If the men cling to it they are compensated by licence in other matters; the women are held in honour if they bear sons who do not fail in it.
love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading It becomes a new god, with its worship and its altar; and often the altar is laden with costly sacrifices.
