adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
axiomsnounUS /ˈæksiəmz/
plural of “axiom” — a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
completeverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
exhibitedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbətəd/
past form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/
give expression to
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
familiaritynounUS /fəˌmɪˈljerəti/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
faultnounUS /fɔːlt/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
illustrateverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪt/
clarify by giving an example of
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
illustrationnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/
artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
incorrectadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkərˈekt/
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
lawnounUS /lɔː/
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
LordnounUS /lɔːrd/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
manifestedverbUS /ˈmænəfestəd/
past form of “manifest” — provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
mastershipnoun
the skill of a master
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
maximsnounUS /ˈmæksəmz/
plural of “maxim” — a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
meaningnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋ/
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
metaphornounUS /ˈmetəfɔːr/
a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
multifariousadjective
having many aspects or qualities
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
occasionsnounUS /əˈkeɪʒənz/
something you have to do
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
pagenounUS /peɪdʒ/
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
Penzance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
playsnounUS /pleɪz/
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
pressedadjectiveUS /prest/
compacted by ironing
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
requiredadjectiveUS /riˈkwaɪərd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
Shakespeare'snounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːrz/
possessive form of “shakespeare” — English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
similenoun
a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with “like” or “as”)
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
speaksverbUS /spiːks/
third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He seems to have had a special pleasure in his complete and ready mastership of it in all its branches.
technicalitiesnounUS /ˌteknɪˈkælətiz/
plural of “technicality” — the state of being technical as in the use of technical terms or methods
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading At every turn and point at which the author required a metaphor, simile, or illustration, his mind ever turned _first_ to the law.
unexampledadjective
having no previous example or precedent or parallel
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The mode in which this knowledge was pressed into service on all occasions to express his meaning and illustrate his thoughts was quite unexampled.
whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading As manifested in the plays, this legal knowledge and learning had therefore a special character which places it on a wholly different footing from the rest of the multifarious knowledge which is exhibited in page after page of the plays.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lord Penzance speaks of Shakespeare’s “perfect familiarity with not only the principles, axioms, and maxims, but the technicalities of English law, a knowledge so perfect and intimate that he was never incorrect and never at fault....
