used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
absolutismnounUS /ˈæbsəluːtɪzəm/
dominance through threat of punishment and violence
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
AbyssinianounUS /æbˈsɪniːə/
Ethiopia is a republic in northeastern Africa on the Red Sea; formerly called Abyssinia
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
AbyssiniannounUS /æbˈsɪniːən/
a small slender short-haired breed of African origin having brownish fur with a reddish undercoat
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
matters of personal concern
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
AloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
in addition
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
confinesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfaɪnz/
a bounded scope
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
councillors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His court includes no councillors.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading His court includes no councillors.
dealtverbUS /delt/
inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
destiniesnounUS /ˈdestəniz/
plural of “destiny” — an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
encroachingadjectiveUS /ɪnˈkroʊtʃɪŋ/
gradually intrusive without right or permission
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
at any time
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
exercisedverbUS /ˈeksərsaɪzd/
past form of “exercise” — put to use
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
feudaladjectiveUS /ˈfjuːdəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of feudalism
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
highlandsnounUS /ˈhaɪləndz/
a mountainous region of northern Scotland famous for its rugged beauty; known for the style of dress (the kilt and tartan) and the clan system (now in disuse)
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
hordesnounUS /hɔːrdz/
plural of “horde” — a vast multitude
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
IInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
includesverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdz/
third-person singular of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading His court includes no councillors.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
immediately past
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
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 Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
mediaevaladjective
relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
Menelek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
mightieradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪtiər/
comparative of “mighty” — having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
Mohammedannoun
a follower of Mohammed
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
monarchsnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrks/
plural of “monarch” — a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
not any; not one
From this reading His court includes no councillors.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
pagannounUS /ˈpeɪɡən/
a person who does not acknowledge your god
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
reignverbUS /reɪn/
have sovereign power
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
rulersnounUS /ˈruːlərz/
plural of “ruler” — a person who rules or commands
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
refrain from harming
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
survivalnounUS /sərˈvaɪvəl/
a state of surviving; remaining alive
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
territorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
tribesmennounUS /ˈtraɪbzmɪn/
plural of “tribesman” — someone who lives in a tribe
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading But now this last splendid survival of the feudal absolutism exercised and enjoyed by mediaeval rulers is about to disappear beneath encroaching waves of civilization, that do not long spare the picturesque.
which person or people
From this reading THEY WHO MUST BE OBEYED Few mightier monarchs than Menelek II of Abyssinia ever swayed the destinies of a people.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Throughout the vast territory of the Abyssinian highlands his individual will is law to some millions of subjects; law also to hordes of savage Mohammedan and pagan tribesmen without the confines of his kingdom.
a late time of life
From this reading Alone throughout the long years of his reign Menelek has dealt with all domestic and foreign affairs of state.
