used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PLOT.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading No better opportunity could have been desired.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading No better opportunity could have been desired.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
Cawdor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
chattyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃæti/
full of trivial conversation
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No better opportunity could have been desired.
courtesiesnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsiz/
plural of “courtesy” — a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
wanted intensely
From this reading No better opportunity could have been desired.
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
ExcellencynounUS /ˈekˈslensi/
a title used to address dignitaries (such as ambassadors or governors); usually preceded by “Your” or “His” or “Her”
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No better opportunity could have been desired.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
indoorsadverbUS /ˈɪndɔːrz/
within a building
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
not any; not one
From this reading No better opportunity could have been desired.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading No better opportunity could have been desired.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
by chance
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
PLOTnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading A PLOT.
prevailingadjectiveUS /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/
most frequent or common
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
reactionnounUS /riˈækʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
Identical; not different.
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
express in words
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
ThanenounUS /θeɪn/
a feudal lord or baron
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
precisely as stated
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
VictorianounUS /vɪkˈtɔːriə/
queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His Excellency was very chatty that night, in mere reaction of mood, perhaps, against the prevailing gloom of the Island.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I, knowing what was making ready for him, could not but feel like a Thane of Cawdor, while Victoria, I am sorry to say, filled the part of the lady of the castle.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading We met on the lawn; and he was as full of glowing courtesies, before passing indoors to his supper, as the gracious Duncan on another occasion, while he ran the same risk of deadly intent against the peace that was his very life.
