used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
agoniesnounUS /ˈæɡəniz/
plural of “agony” — intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
(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 All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
BenedictnounUS /ˈbenədɪkt/
United States anthropologist (1887-1948)
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Rome was far better when Pagan than when Catholic.
Bonifacenoun
(Roman Catholic Church) Anglo-Saxon missionary who was sent to Frisia and Germany to spread the Christian faith; was martyred in Frisia (680-754)
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
Caligulanoun
Roman Emperor who succeeded Tiberius and whose uncontrolled passions resulted in manifest insanity; noted for his cruelty and tyranny; was assassinated (12-41)
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
CatholicadjectiveUS /ˈkæθlɪk/
of or relating to or supporting Catholicism
From this reading Rome was far better when Pagan than when Catholic.
ChristiansnounUS /ˈkrɪstʃənz/
plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
ClaudiusnounUS /ˈklɔːdiəs/
Roman Emperor after his nephew Caligula was murdered; consolidated the Roman Empire and conquered southern Britain; was poisoned by his fourth wife Agrippina after her son Nero was named as Claudius' heir (10 BC to AD 54)
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
Commodus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
criminalsnounUS /ˈkrɪmənəlz/
plural of “criminal” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
Domitiannoun
Emperor of Rome; son of Vespasian who succeeded his brother Titus; instigated a reign of terror and was assassinated as a tyrant (51-96)
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Rome was far better when Pagan than when Catholic.
globenounUS /ɡloʊb/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
intense and profound fear
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
IIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
imperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
institutionsnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃənz/
plural of “institution” — an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
IXnoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
languagesnounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒəz/
plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
LeonounUS /ˈliːoʊ/
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Leo
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
NeronounUS /ˈnɪroʊ/
Roman Emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64) but the Roman Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
PagannounUS /ˈpeɪɡən/
a person who does not acknowledge your god
From this reading Rome was far better when Pagan than when Catholic.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
pontiffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
PopesnounUS /poʊpz/
plural of “pope” — the head of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
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 Rome was far better when Pagan than when Catholic.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Rome was far better when Pagan than when Catholic.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
Tiberiusnoun
son-in-law of Augustus who became a suspicious tyrannical Emperor of Rome after a brilliant military career (42 BC to AD 37)
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
VInounUS /vaɪ/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
VIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
VIIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base as many of the Christians Popes.
at the time that
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy?
the words that are spoken
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint the agonies of man when the church had power.
produce a literary work
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
XIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Opposite the names of these imperial criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI.
