Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Against his expectation he had quitted Amboise with clean hands.

(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 The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

a diplomat of the highest rank; accredited as representative from one country to another

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

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

From this reading Against his expectation he had quitted Amboise with clean hands.

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

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

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

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading Against his expectation he had quitted Amboise with clean hands.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

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

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

formerly, the eldest son of the King of France and direct heir to the throne

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

an official engaged in international negotiations

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

divisible by two

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading Against his expectation he had quitted Amboise with clean hands.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

an act that fails

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

past form of “free” — grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

yet to be or coming

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

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

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Against his expectation he had quitted Amboise with clean hands.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

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

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

plural of “jest” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

not any; not one

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

unequivocally detestable

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

on one occasion

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

in a paradoxical manner

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

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

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

by chance

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

established beyond doubt

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

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

From this reading Against his expectation he had quitted Amboise with clean hands.

on the contrary

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

plural of “regard” — (usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

a French marshal who distinguished himself in the War of the Austrian Succession (1696-1750)

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So all was well; the King's fears could be set at rest, and he himself was freed from an odious duty.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

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

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Nor even as regards the Dauphin, and the future the Dauphin represented, was there much to regret.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

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

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

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

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE For once in his career Phillip de Commines, ambassador and diplomatist, was well pleased to have failed, or rather, paradoxically, he told himself that failure was his true success.

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

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

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

From this reading The King--he had come to the conclusion that Louis had played one of those grim jests which were not all a jest and at times had tragic consequences--the King, no doubt, had been deceived, possibly by Saxe, and to have Saxe proved a liar beyond question could not but be a relief.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Against his expectation he had quitted Amboise with clean hands.