used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
AbrahamnounUS /ˈeɪbrəhæm/
the first of the Old Testament patriarchs and the father of Isaac; according to Genesis, God promised to give Abraham's family (the Hebrews) the land of Canaan (the Promised Land); God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son
From this reading That Abraham Lincoln was the nominal President was true, of course.
administrationnounUS /ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən/
a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
(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 On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
make calm or still
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading That Abraham Lincoln was the nominal President was true, of course.
cravatnounUS /krəˈvæt/
A short, wide strip of silk fabric worn by gentlemen around the neck inside an open-collared shirt.
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
recognizable; marked
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
DictatorshipnounUS /dɪkˈteɪtərʃɪp/
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 Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
put on clothes
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
executivenounUS /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/
a person responsible for the administration of a business
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
Fool'snounUS /fuːlz/
possessive form of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
generouslyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəsli/
in a generous manner
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
set afire or burning
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
LincolnnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/
16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading That Abraham Lincoln was the nominal President was true, of course.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
a form of address for a man
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
nominaladjectiveUS /ˈnɑːmənəl/
relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
From this reading That Abraham Lincoln was the nominal President was true, of course.
nominallyadverbUS /ˈnɑːmənəli/
in name only
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading That Abraham Lincoln was the nominal President was true, of course.
established beyond doubt
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
responsibilitiesnounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Mr. Seward generously decided to allow him to remain nominally at the head of the Nation and assume himself the full responsibilities of a Dictatorship.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
SewardnounUS /ˈsuːərd/
United States politician who as Secretary of State in 1867 arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia (known at the time as Seward's Folly) (1801-1872)
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
supremeadjectiveUS /səˈpriːm/
final or last in your life or progress
From this reading On the first day of April, All Fool's Day, Mr. Seward decided to bring to a definite issue the question of supreme authority in the government.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FIRST SHOT The first month of the new administration passed in a strange peace that proved to be the calm before the storm.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading That Abraham Lincoln was the nominal President was true, of course.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The Secretary of State strolled leisurely into the executive office more careless in dress than usual, the knot of his cravat under his left ear, a huge lighted cigar in his hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That Abraham Lincoln was the nominal President was true, of course.
