used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
Antoinette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
auranounUS /ˈɔːrə/
a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
beruffled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
cajolerynoun
flattery intended to persuade
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
celebratingverbUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “celebrate” — behave as expected during of holidays or rites
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
cheeryadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪri/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
comradeshipnoun
the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
dealingnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋ/
method or manner of conduct in relation to others
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
desnounUS /des/
a potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
doomedadjectiveUS /duːmd/
marked for certain death
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
enforcedadjectiveUS /enˈfɔːrst/
forced or compelled or put in force
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
Essarts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
exileverbUS /ˈeɡzaɪl/
expel from a country
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
intriguenounUS /ˌɪnˈtriːɡ/
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
LancasternounUS /ˈlænkæstər/
a city in northwestern England
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
languagesnounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒəz/
plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
lordsnounUS /lɔːrdz/
plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
martyrdomnounUS /ˈmɑːrtərdəm/
death that is imposed because of the person's adherence of a religious faith or cause
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
the force of workers available
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
MERLEnounUS /mɜːrl/
common black European thrush
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
Merle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
ministersnounUS /ˈmɪnəstərz/
plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
a particular point in time
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
having a point
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
puppetsnounUS /ˈpʌpəts/
plural of “puppet” — a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
RepublicnounUS /riˈpʌblək/
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
ruffledadjectiveUS /ˈrʌfəld/
shaken into waves or undulations as by wind
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
sallied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
sexlessadjectiveUS /ˈsekslɪs/
having no or imperfectly developed or nonfunctional sex organs
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Not for Antoinette des Essarts the cheery comradeship, the quick sexless sympathy, the contempt of cajolery and intrigue, which distinguished the generation among which she now moved.
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For Madame des Essarts had sallied forth, in diamonds and dignity, to a banquet celebrating the arrival in office of a new Greek minister.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Perhaps the secret of her lost art lay in the fact that she never for one moment forgot she was dealing with men, nor let them forget that she regarded them as such, lords and puppets.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
unmadeadjectiveUS /ənˈmeɪd/
(of a bed) not having the sheets and blankets set in order
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MERLE Thus Merle’s evening at Lancaster Gate was doomed to be a solitary one.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The handsome old lady, with her social talents, her knowledge of foreign languages, her dainty pointed wit, the aura of martyrdom which clung to her enforced exile from the hated Republic of France--to which she could return whenever she pleased--was of the type that had, in ruffled and beruffled days, swayed kings and unmade ministers.
