adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
addverbUS /æd/
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “Our honour and our word, madam,” answered Ruthven.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
barternounUS /ˈbɑːrtər/
an equal exchange
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
cabals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
CouncilnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
demit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
estatenounUS /ɪˈsteɪt/
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
hitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
honournounUS /ˈɑːnər/
the state of being honored
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
keepverbUS /kiːp/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
kingdomnounUS /ˈkɪŋdəm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
kinglyadjectiveUS /ˈkɪŋli/
having the rank of or resembling or befitting a king
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
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 “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
lordnounUS /lɔːrd/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
MadamnounUS /ˈmædəm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
oratornounUS /ˈɔːrətər/
a person who delivers a speech or oration
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Our honour and our word, madam,” answered Ruthven.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
pledgesnounUS /ˈpledʒɪz/
plural of “pledge” — a deposit of personal property as security for a debt
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
QueennounUS /kwiːn/
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
rulenounUS /ruːl/
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
Ruthven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
schoolsnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
seclusionnounUS /sɪˈkluːʒən/
the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
thistle-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
treatynounUS /ˈtriːti/
a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
unsolid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
warrantnounUS /ˈwɔːrənt/
a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
warsnounUS /wɔːrz/
plural of “war” — the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
weepverbUS /wiːp/
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
weightnounUS /weɪt/
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “Our honour and our word, madam,” answered Ruthven.
yepronounUS /jiː/
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
