used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
(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 In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
have
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
CabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/
a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
combinationnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
diplomacynounUS /dɪˈploʊməsi/
negotiation between nations
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
diplomatnounUS /ˈdɪpləmæt/
an official engaged in international negotiations
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
draftedverbUS /ˈdræftɪd/
past form of “draft” — draw up an outline or sketch for something
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
EmbassynounUS /ˈembəsi/
a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
forsakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
destroyed or killed
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
MinistrynounUS /ˈmɪnəstri/
religious ministers collectively (especially Presbyterian)
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
PREMIERE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
on the contrary
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
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 PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
carry out
From this reading It is not often that a diplomat forsakes diplomacy to take part in politics.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
unintentionallyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪnˈtenʃənəli/
without intention; in an unintentional manner
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading An extraordinary combination of events, however, contrived to place me in a curious position, with the result that great influence was brought to bear on me to give up the Embassy of which I was in charge, and return to England to take up a minor position in the Cabinet.
precisely as stated
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
at the time that
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In spite of all my very considerable experience, I did not see at the time the danger into which I was drifting, and I had gone too far to draw back when I realised with a shock the awful position in which I had placed myself.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading THE PREMIERE'S STORY I have to confess that quite unintentionally I did my Government and my country a great wrong.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading As you know, I was drafted into the Ministry through an rather unusual channel.
