used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
matters of personal concern
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
air-ships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
(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 The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
astoundingadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
AustrianounUS /ˈɔːstriə/
a mountainous republic in central Europe; under the Habsburgs (1278-1918) Austria maintained control of the Holy Roman Empire and was a leader in European politics until the 19th century
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
captivitynounUS /kæpˈtɪvəti/
the state of being imprisoned
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
ConferencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfərəns/
a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
defeatnounUS /dɪˈfiːt/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
deputynounUS /ˈdepjəti/
someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
destructionnounUS /dɪˈstrʌkʃən/
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading THE ORDERING OF EUROPE.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
a person of German nationality
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
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 Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
LeaguenounUS /liːɡ/
an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
monarchsnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrks/
plural of “monarch” — a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ORDERING OF EUROPE.
on one occasion
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
and nothing more
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
ORDERINGnounUS /ˈɔːrdərɪŋ/
logical or comprehensible arrangement of separate elements
From this reading THE ORDERING OF EUROPE.
PetersburgnounUS /ˈpiːtərzbərɡ/
a town in southeastern Virginia (south of Richmond); scene of heavy fighting during the American Civil War
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
speedingnounUS /ˈspiːdɪŋ/
changing location rapidly
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
squadronsnounUS /ˈskwɑːdrənz/
plural of “squadron” — a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
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 The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
telegraphnounUS /ˈteləɡræf/
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ORDERING OF EUROPE.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
threatnounUS /θret/
something that is a source of danger
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
TsarnounUS /zɑːr/
a male monarch or emperor (especially of Russia prior to 1917)
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
ViennanounUS /viˈenə/
the capital and largest city of Austria; located on the Danube in northeastern Austria; was the home of Beethoven and Brahms and Haydn and Mozart and Schubert and Strauss
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
Vladimir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Three vessels had been despatched to each city, and the instructions of those in command of the squadrons were to bring the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Italy to London.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While these events had been in progress three squadrons of air-ships had been speeding to St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Rome.
which person or people
From this reading The German Emperor was at once released from his captivity, although only under a threat of the destruction of the city by the air-ships, for the Grand Duke Vladimir, who ruled at St. Petersburg as deputy of the Tsar, had first refused to believe the astounding story of the defeat of his brother and the destruction of his army.
willinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪlɪŋli/
in a willing manner
From this reading The news of the defeat of the League had preceded them by telegraph, and all three monarchs willingly obeyed the summons which they carried to attend a Conference for the ordering of affairs of Europe.
