used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
ablestadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəlst/
superlative of “able” — (usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
speak to
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
anew
From this reading TALLEYRAND AGAIN.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
availing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
BACKGAMMONnounUS /ˈbækɡæmən/
a board game for two players; pieces move according to throws of the dice
From this reading BACKGAMMON.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
crushverbUS /krʌʃ/
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
doctrinenounUS /ˈdɑːktrən/
a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
unusual or striking
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
revolutionsnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃənz/
plural of “revolution” — a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
Semonville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
she's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
tacticiansnounUS /tækˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “tactician” — a person who is skilled at planning tactics
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
carry out
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
TALLEYRANDnoun
French statesman (1754-1838)
From this reading TALLEYRAND AGAIN.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
up to a particular time
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
male cat
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
being of use or service
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
in or at the place that
From this reading He knew exactly where to address himself for support, and the right time of availing himself of it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
in the company of; together with
From this reading MONSIEUR de Semonville, one of the ablest tacticians of his time, was remarkable for the talent with which, amidst the crush of revolutions, he always managed to maintain his post and take care of his personal interests.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading TOM BROWN says, "A woman may learn one useful doctrine from the game of backgammon, which is, not to take up her man till she's sure of him."
