used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
(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 this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
Angouleme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
coronationnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈneɪʃən/
the ceremony of installing a new monarch
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
decrepitadjectiveUS /dəˈkrepɪt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
divisible by two
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
hold firmly
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
king'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
Louis'snounUS /ˈluːɪsɪz/
possessive form of “louis” — United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
something you have to do
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
poisonverbUS /ˈpɔɪzən/
spoil as if by poison
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
provocationnounUS /ˌprɑːvəˈkeɪʃən/
unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
relaxverbUS /rɪˈlæks/
become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
self-defensenounUS /ˌselfdɪˈfens/
the act of defending yourself
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
in the near future
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
express a supposition
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Mary's conduct was really cruel! but then, remember her provocation and that she was acting in self-defense.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
tournamentnounUS /ˈtʊrnəmənt/
a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mary was killing Louis as certainly and deliberately as if she were feeding him slow poison.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was very weak and decrepit at best, being compelled frequently, upon public occasions, such, for example, as the coronation tournament of which I have spoken, to lie upon a couch.
which person or people
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading All this was easier for her than you might suppose, for the king's grasp of power, never very strong, was beginning to relax even what little grip it had.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading All faces were turned toward the rising sun, young Francis, duke of Angouleme, the king's distant cousin, who would soon be king in Louis's place.
