used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
Adalbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
Angelo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
annalsnounUS /ˈænəlz/
reports of the work of a society or learned body etc
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
antiqueadjectiveUS /ænˈtiːk/
made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
Castel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
a period of 100 years
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
chiefsnounUS /tʃiːfs/
plural of “chief” — a person who is in charge
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Her fateful beauty ruled Church and state.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
the first light of day
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
deposedverbUS /dɪˈpoʊzd/
past form of “depose” — force to leave (an office)
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
being one more than seven
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
empirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
at any time
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
exercisedverbUS /ˈeksərsaɪzd/
past form of “exercise” — put to use
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
fatefuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtfəl/
having momentous consequences; of decisive importance
From this reading Her fateful beauty ruled Church and state.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
feudaladjectiveUS /ˈfjuːdəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of feudalism
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
a person of German nationality
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
illustriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlʌstriəs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
incongruousadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈkɔːŋruːəs/
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
institutionsnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃənz/
plural of “institution” — an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
mediæval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
Messalina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
monstrosities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
nominatedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːməneɪtəd/
appointed by nomination
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
pontiffnounUS /ˈpɑːntəf/
the head of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
popesnounUS /poʊpz/
plural of “pope” — the head of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
profligacynounUS /ˈprɔːflɪɡæsi/
the trait of spending extravagantly
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
quartered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
relicnounUS /ˈrelɪk/
an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading Her fateful beauty ruled Church and state.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
Saturnalianoun
an orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
stainedadjectiveUS /steɪnd/
marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
successivelyadverbUS /səkˈsesɪvli/
in proper order or sequence
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
sustainedadjectiveUS /səˈsteɪnd/
maintained at length without interruption or weakening
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
Theodora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
in or at that place or location
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Theodora caused one pontiff after another to be deposed and nominated eight popes successively.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
TuscanynounUS /ˈtʌskəni/
a region in central Italy
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
tyrannynounUS /ˈtɪrəni/
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
unparalleledadjectiveUS /ənˈperəleld/
radically distinctive and without equal
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From there she exercised over Rome a complete tyranny, sustained against German influence by an Italian party, which counted amongst its chiefs Adalbert, Count of Tuscany, the father of this second Messalina.
wildestadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪldɪst/
superlative of “wild” — marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within the memory of living generation, this pile had been the theatre of a tragedy, almost unparalleled in the annals of Rome, the scene of the wildest Saturnalia, that ever stained the history of mediæval state.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading An incongruous relic of antique profligacy and the monstrosities of the lower empire, drawing its fatal power from feudal institutions, Theodora, a woman illustrious for her beauty and rank, had at the dawn of the century quartered herself in Castel San Angelo.
