Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

plural of “adventurer” — a person who enjoys taking risks

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

an administrative unit of government

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

(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 New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading An Egremont had the ear of kings, and another Egremont mounted the gallows.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading An Egremont had the ear of kings, and another Egremont mounted the gallows.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

plural of “bean” — any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a university in England

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

the state of being held in low esteem

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

plural of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading An Egremont had the ear of kings, and another Egremont mounted the gallows.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

plural of “estate” — everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

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 fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

past form of “fast” — abstain from certain foods, as for religious or medical reasons

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging

From this reading An Egremont had the ear of kings, and another Egremont mounted the gallows.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a state of high honor

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

highest in quality

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

a high place

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

ten 10s

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading An Egremont had the ear of kings, and another Egremont mounted the gallows.

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 THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

the officer below the master on a commercial ship

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

mated sexually

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading An Egremont had the ear of kings, and another Egremont mounted the gallows.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

past form of “oust” — remove from a position or office

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a state of extreme poverty or destitution

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

a large shallow dish used for serving food

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

plural of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

plural of “quarrel” — an angry dispute

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

plural of “shirt” — a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

a male human offspring

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

plural of “sovereign” — a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

past form of “vanquish” — come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

plural of “wanderer” — someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They mated sometimes with princes and dukes, and sometimes they were thought fit to mate with the daughters of their gaolers.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading Some of them were great at play, and met and vanquished the best players of Europe on the field of the cloth of green; other Egremonts were ascetics and wore hair shirts next their skins, and fasted and prayed extremely.

a late time of life

From this reading THE fortunes of the House of Egremont had their first great bloom through the agency of a platter of beans; and through a platter of beans more than a hundred years later the elder branch was ousted from one of the greatest estates in England, became wanderers and gentlemen adventurers throughout Europe, fought in quarrels not their own, served sovereigns of foreign countries, knew the dazzling heights of glory, and fell into the mire of penury and disrepute.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading New York Charles Scribner’s Sons _Dramatic and all other rights reserved_ UNIVERSITY PRESS · JOHN WILSON AND SON · CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.