1770
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
accentuationnoun
the use or application of an accent; the relative prominence of syllables in a phrase or utterance
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
Choiseul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mistress was Dubarry and the minister de Choiseul.
Choiseul's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
ColbertnounUS /ˈkoʊlbərt/
butter creamed with parsley and tarragon and beef extract
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
Comtesse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
correctedadjectiveUS /kərˈektəd/
having something undesirable neutralized
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
denotedverbUS /dɪˈnoʊtəd/
past form of “denote” — be a sign or indication of
From this reading Italic text is denoted _thus_.
Dubarry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
Duc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/
plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
favourites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
fermentnounUS /fərˈment/
a state of agitation or turbulent change or development
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
harmlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrmləs/
not causing or capable of causing harm
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
hyphenationnounUS /ˌhaɪfəˈneɪʃən/
division of a word especially at the end of a line on a page
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
ItalicnounUS /aɪˈtælɪk/
a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right
From this reading Italic text is denoted _thus_.
kind-heartedadjective
having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
meanestadjectiveUS /ˈmiːnəst/
superlative of “mean” — approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
ministersnounUS /ˈmɪnəstərz/
plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading The mistress was Dubarry and the minister de Choiseul.
a particular point in time
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
used to form the superlative
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
PresentationnounUS /ˌprezənˈteɪʃən/
the activity of formally presenting something (as a prize or reward)
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
punctuationnounUS /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən/
something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
express in words
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
seethingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːðɪŋ/
in constant agitation
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
spellingnounUS /ˈspelɪŋ/
forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
Stacpoole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
textnounUS /tekst/
the words of something written
From this reading Italic text is denoted _thus_.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Italic text is denoted _thus_.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
typographicaladjectiveUS /ˌtaɪpəˈɡræfɪkəl/
relating to or occurring or used in typography
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
Vallière
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
Vere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
VersaillesnounUS /verˈsaɪ/
a city in north central France near Paris; site of the Palace of Versailles that was built by Louis XIV in the 17th century
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _The Presentation by H. de Vere Stacpoole_ It was the night of the Duc de Choiseul’s ball, that is to say, the night before the expected presentation of the Comtesse Dubarry at Court, and Versailles was in a ferment, the seething of which reached to the meanest streets of Paris.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation is as the original, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading France had long been accustomed to the rule, not of kings, but of favourites and ministers, and at the present moment in the year of our Lord, 1770, she was under the rule of the most kind-hearted of women since the harmless La Vallière and the most upright minister since Colbert.
