used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
(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 At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
appropriatedverbUS /əˈproʊprieɪtɪd/
past form of “appropriate” — give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
assembleverbUS /əˈsembəl/
create by putting components or members together
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
assemblynounUS /əˈsembli/
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
benchesnounUS /ˈbentʃɪz/
plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
the two together, not just one
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
COMMONSnounUS /ˈkɑːmənz/
a piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area
From this reading THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
constructverbUS /kənˈstrʌkt/
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
edifices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
existverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪst/
have an existence, be extant
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
hallsnounUS /hɔːlz/
plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
ill-contrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
inconvenientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈviːnjənt/
not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
the act of departing
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
LordsnounUS /lɔːrdz/
plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
macenounUS /meɪs/
(trademark) a liquid that temporarily disables a person; prepared as an aerosol and sprayed in the face, it irritates the eyes and causes dizziness and immobilization
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
oblongadjectiveUS /ˈɑːblɔːŋ/
(of a leaf shape) having a somewhat elongated form with approximately parallel sides
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
and nothing more
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
petitionsnounUS /pəˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “petition” — a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
representativesnounUS /ˌreprəˈzentətɪvz/
plural of “representative” — a person who represents others
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
be seated
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
(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 building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
WestminsternounUS /ˌwestˈmɪnstər/
a borough of Greater London on the Thames; contains Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
whereon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The building in which the representatives of the nation assemble at Westminster, is about as insignificant, ill-contrived, and inconvenient a place as can be well conceived.
which person or people
From this reading At one end of this table is the mace: at the other, sit the clerks who record all proceedings that require to be noted.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The House of Commons is an oblong, with rows of plain wooden benches on each side, leaving a space in the middle which is occupied by the table, whereon petitions are laid.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It is true that the edifices appropriated to both Lords and Commons are both only temporary ones; nevertheless, it would have been easy to construct halls of assembly more suitable for their purposes than those that now exist.
