used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
actualitynounUS /ˌæktʃuːˈælətiː/
the state of actually existing objectively
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
ambassador'snounUS /æmˈbæsədərz/
possessive form of “ambassador” — a diplomat of the highest rank; accredited as representative from one country to another
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
AustrianounUS /ˈɔːstriə/
a mountainous republic in central Europe; under the Habsburgs (1278-1918) Austria maintained control of the Holy Roman Empire and was a leader in European politics until the 19th century
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
betrothalnoun
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
Christ'snounUS /kraɪsts/
possessive form of “christ” — a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
conventualadjective
of communal life sequestered from the world under religious vows
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
furtiveadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrtɪv/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
gagenounUS /ɡeɪdʒ/
street names for marijuana
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
gemnounUS /dʒem/
art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
hardnessnounUS /ˈhɑːrdnəs/
the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
hushedadjectiveUS /hʌʃt/
in a softened tone
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
hypostatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/
making a strong or vivid impression
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
IsabellanounUS /ˌɪzəˈbelə/
the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
listlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstləs/
lacking zest or vivacity
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
modestlyadverbUS /ˈmɑːdəstli/
with modesty; in a modest manner
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
numbingadjectiveUS /ˈnʌmɪŋ/
causing numbness or insensitivity
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
pallornoun
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
Philip'snounUS /ˈfɪləps/
possessive form of “philip” — Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
pledgedadjectiveUS /pledʒd/
bound by or as if by an oath
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
on the contrary
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
resentfuladjectiveUS /rɪˈzentfəl/
full of or marked by resentment or indignant ill will
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
sacramentaladjectiveUS /ˈsækrəməntəl/
of or relating to or involving a sacrament
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
symbolnounUS /ˈsɪmbəl/
an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
tokennounUS /ˈtoʊkən/
an individual instance of a type of symbol
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
transportnounUS /trænˈspɔːrt/
something that serves as a means of transportation
From this reading Its first heat of transport had faded from Don Philip’s cheek, and been succeeded by a rather rigid pallor, a look of hardness, both furtive and resentful.
trinitynounUS /ˈtrɪnəti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
vicegerentnoun
someone appointed by a ruler as an administrative deputy
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a very impressive ceremony, this betrothal by ring--conventual, almost sacramental in its character.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
Whereafter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whereafter, not as bride of Christ, but of Christ’s more confident vicegerent, the heir of Austria, stood Isabella, pledged by token of the shining gem half slipping from her listless finger.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The ambassador’s face had been flushed, his voice hushed, as he had presented this visible symbol of what was to him but something less than a hypostatic union, in which he himself modestly represented the third figure in the trinity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The words were spoken, the gage hung there in witness of their numbing actuality; she was left alone with the duke her father.
