used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading “Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
the two together, not just one
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
ceremonialnounUS /ˌserəˈmoʊniəl/
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
ChristianitynounUS /ˌkrɪstʃiˈænɪti/
a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading “Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
confirmsverbUS /kənˈfɜːrmz/
third-person singular of “confirm” — establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
decadencenounUS /ˈdekədəns/
the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
disciplesnounUS /dɪˈsaɪpəlz/
plural of “disciple” — someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
dispersedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɜːrst/
distributed or spread over a considerable extent
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
epochnounUS /ˈepək/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
divisible by two
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
existingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
presently existing
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
intensitynounUS /ɪnˈtensəti/
the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
JudaismnounUS /ˈdʒuːdeɪɪzəm/
Jews collectively who practice a religion based on the Torah and the Talmud
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
martyrsnounUS /ˈmɑːrtərz/
plural of “martyr” — one who suffers for the sake of principle
From this reading “Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
nationsnounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
not any; not one
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
notableadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəbəl/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
paradoxnounUS /ˈperədɑːks/
(logic) a statement that contradicts itself
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
persecutionnounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈkjuːʃən/
the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
From this reading The persecution of the disciples of the New Faith formed a notable epoch in the history both of Judaism and Christianity.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
repressionnounUS /riˈpreʃən/
a state of forcible subjugation
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
seednounUS /siːd/
a small hard fruit
From this reading “Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
seedsnounUS /siːdz/
plural of “seed” — a small hard fruit
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
subsequentlyadverbUS /ˈsʌbsəkwəntli/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
thriven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading History confirms the apparent paradox, that living truth has thriven through repression; and even persecution.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
widelyadverbUS /ˈwaɪdli/
to a great degree
From this reading It marked the decadence of the existing ceremonial system, and at the same time dispersed widely the seeds of a vital faith which no opposition has since been able to stamp out.
widenedverbUS /ˈwaɪdənd/
past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It was the first stage of an agitation, which, though subsequently losing some of its local intensity, widened and deepened until it changed the religious complexion of nations and the world.
