Chapter XXX

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

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

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

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

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

an occurrence of something

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

dearly loved

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

psychological suffering

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

largest city in Scotland; a port on the Clyde in west central Scotland; one of the great shipbuilding centers of the world

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

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

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

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

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

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

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

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

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

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

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

(Greek mythology) a princess of Colchis who aided Jason in taking the Golden Fleece from her father

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

comparative of “new” — not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

not any; not one

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

on one occasion

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

and nothing more

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

of superior grade

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

plural of “sir” — term of address for a man

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

following in time or order

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

a special situation

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

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

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

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

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

at the time that

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He instanced, as a case in point, his own confidence in Queen Mary, and his master’s want of confidence, when the pair of them rode with her part of her way to Glasgow; and how he was entirely justified by her subsequent behaviour.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading MEDEA IN THE BEDCHAMBER Women, in the experience of French Paris, as he once informed a select company of his acquaintance, could only be trusted to do a thing, and never to cause a thing to be done.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It made little difference in the end, to be sure; but no doubt she would have been saved a good deal of distress if Bothwell had been as instructed as his lacquey.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Burn the boats, burn the boats, dear sirs, when you need a woman to help you, as you constantly do in delicate affairs.’

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading ‘They will always find a thousand reasons why it should not be done, or why it should be done another way—their way, an older way, a newer way, any way in the world but yours.