Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

highly skilled

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

plural of “alliance” — the state of being allied or confederated

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

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

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

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

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

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

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

a female human offspring

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

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

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

past form of “embrace” — include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

divisible by two

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

plural of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

a social unit living together

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

capable of reproducing

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

plural of “grandchild” — a child of your son or daughter

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

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

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

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

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

an aggressive and violent young criminal

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

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

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

an occurrence of something

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

past form of “intertwine” — spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

characterized by grandeur

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

joined in matrimony

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

someone who arranges (or tries to arrange) marriages for others

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

not any; not one

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

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

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

on one occasion

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

possessing material wealth

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

United States playwright (1896-1955)

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

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

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Its fastnesses were the home of the romantic Robin Hood and his "merrie" band of robbers, the subject of legend and adventure.

a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

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

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

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

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

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

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

an extended area of land

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.

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

From this reading The female hand has to be discovered in the family alliances of the Cavendishes and the Bentincks from which a tangle of intrigue may be unravelled.

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

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

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

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

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

From this reading _Cherchez la femme_ is a French saying, which has somewhat of a cynical ring about it.

which person or people

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was in the first instance that accomplished matchmaker, Bess Hardwick, a country squire's daughter, who was married four times, and from her sprang children and grandchildren with whom were intertwined the families of no less than five Dukes.

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading To the north of the county of Nottingham, in the heart of England, is a rich and fertile tract of country known as "The Dukeries," once embraced by Sherwood Forest, and even now thickly wooded with magnificent oaks and presenting charming forest scenery.