used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
lacking funds
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
a period of 100 years
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
a young person of either sex
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
conquestsnounUS /ˈkɑːnkwests/
plural of “conquest” — the act of conquering
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
courtiersnounUS /ˈkɔːrtiərz/
plural of “courtier” — an attendant at the court of a sovereign
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
increase twofold
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
dukesnounUS /duːks/
plural of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
fearlesslyadverb
without fear
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
gallantrynounUS /ˈɡæləntri/
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
hunch-back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
MantuanounUS /ˈmæntʃuːə/
loose gown of the 17th and 18th centuries
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
not any; not one
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
panoramanounUS /ˌpænərˈæmə/
the visual percept of a region
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
To recall to mind.
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
Rigoletto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
sixteenthadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːnθ/
coming next after the fifteenth in position
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
not in physical motion
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the sixteenth century, kings and dukes still kept their fools.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
tyrannynounUS /ˈtɪrəni/
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
which person or people
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Duke of Mantua had his--a poor hunch-back, whom they called Rigoletto.
belonging to which person
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
wittyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪti/
combining clever conception and facetious expression
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The duke, whose whole life was a panorama of gallantry, despised his conquests; and, being handsome, believed no woman could withstand him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was as witty as any fool in France or Italy; and he was an honest man in this--that he despised the courtiers, who bowed low before the tyranny of the duke, who broke up their families as a child would toys, and quite as fearlessly.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And if, as the tale goes on, you find he had some human love in him, remember he is a hunch-back, and give him double praise.
