used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
Alibeg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
(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 He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
a cherished desire
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
amusementsnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənts/
plural of “amusement” — a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
avaricenounUS /ˈæv.ər.ɪs/
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
avariciousadjective
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
dronesnounUS /droʊnz/
plural of “drone” — stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
move gently or carefully
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
empirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
entrustedverbUS /enˈtrʌstɪd/
past form of “entrust” — confer a trust upon
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
flocknounUS /flɑːk/
a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
usually; as a rule
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
gratifyverbUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪ/
make happy or satisfied
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
hivenounUS /haɪv/
a teeming multitude
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
Mahmud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
manlyadjectiveUS /ˈmænli/
possessing qualities befitting a man
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
ministersnounUS /ˈmɪnəstərz/
plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
and nothing more
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
royaltynounUS /ˈrɔɪəlti/
payment to the holder of a patent or copyright or resource for the right to use their property
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
sacrificedverbUS /ˈsækrəfaɪst/
past form of “sacrifice” — endure the loss of
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
sportsnounUS /spɔːrts/
plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
SultannounUS /ˈsʌl.tən/
A noble monarch or supreme sovereign ruler of an Islamic country or empire.
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
sweetsnounUS /swiːts/
plural of “sweet” — English phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the first office of state in the empire.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
precisely as stated
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The inferior ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own pleasure, avarice, and ambition.
which person or people
From this reading Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He entrusted him with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters of importance.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements.
