Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

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

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

(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 “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

the state of being allied or confederated

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

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

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

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

From this reading It is for kings to declare war, for nations to fight and pay.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

a quantity of no importance

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

for the reason that

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

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

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

fulfill sexually

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

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

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

a Ukrainian peninsula between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading It is for kings to declare war, for nations to fight and pay.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

in a disastrous manner

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

emanating from God

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

the male ruler of an empire

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

make certain of

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

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 Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

at any time

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

a notable achievement

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading It is for kings to declare war, for nations to fight and pay.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

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

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

obtain

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

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

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

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

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

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

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

capital of the state of Montana; located in western Montana

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

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

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

a person who devises plots or intrigues

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

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

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is for kings to declare war, for nations to fight and pay.

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

From this reading It is for kings to declare war, for nations to fight and pay.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

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

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

and nothing more

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

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

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

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

From this reading It is for kings to declare war, for nations to fight and pay.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading It is for kings to declare war, for nations to fight and pay.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

a former communist country in eastern Europe and northern Asia; established in 1922; included Russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (Ukraine and Byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 December 1991

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

a car that is closed and that has front and rear seats and two or four doors

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

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

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

wisdom in the management of public affairs

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

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

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

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

From this reading “Since all that I can ever do for thee Is to do nothing, may'st thou never see, Never divine, the all that nothing costeth me!”

very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

an arrogant or presumptuous person

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading WAR.

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

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Napoleon III declared war against Russia, and France fought side by side with England in the Crimea, not because the gayest and most tragic of nations had aught to gain, but to ensure an upstart emperor a place among the monarchs of Europe.

but in spite of that

From this reading And that strange alliance was merely one move in a long game played by a consummate intriguer--a game which began disastrously at Boulogne and ended disastrously at Sedan, and yet was the most daring and brilliant feat of European statesmanship that has been carried out since the adventurer's great uncle went to St. Helena.