used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Three was a successful business man, alert, brisk, far-seeing and active.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Three was a successful business man, alert, brisk, far-seeing and active.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
botheredadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːðərd/
caused to show discomposure
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
quick and energetic
From this reading Three was a successful business man, alert, brisk, far-seeing and active.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Three was a successful business man, alert, brisk, far-seeing and active.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
apart from; not including
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
far-seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three was a successful business man, alert, brisk, far-seeing and active.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Three was a successful business man, alert, brisk, far-seeing and active.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was a man of large means and did not need politics, except as an amusement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
steadnounUS /sted/
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading Three was a successful business man, alert, brisk, far-seeing and active.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Minister Two passed on, and Minister “Three” reigned in his stead.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Three was a successful business man, alert, brisk, far-seeing and active.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Why he bothered with the game of politics I never could understand.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He had been acting Minister for nearly a year before the death of Two.
