used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
acquiringnounUS /əˈkwaɪrɪŋ/
the act of acquiring something
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
(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 He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
anticipatingverbUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “anticipate” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
AragonnounUS /ˈerəɡɑːn/
French writer who generalized surrealism to literature (1897-1982)
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
baronsnounUS /ˈbærənz/
plural of “baron” — a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
for the reason that
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
CastilenounUS /ˌkæˈstaɪl/
a region of central Spain; a former kingdom that comprised most of modern Spain and united with Aragon to form Spain in 1479
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
ChristendomnounUS /ˈkrɪsəndəm/
the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia)
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
deem to be
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
deedsnounUS /diːdz/
performance of moral or religious acts
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
dominionsnounUS /dəˈmɪnjənz/
plural of “dominion” — dominance or power through legal authority
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
enterprisesnounUS /ˈentərpraɪzɪz/
plural of “enterprise” — a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
esteemedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstiːmd/
having an illustrious reputation; respected
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
FerdinandnounUS /ˈfɜːrdɪnænd/
the king of Castile and Aragon who ruled jointly with his wife Isabella
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
obtain
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
a state of high honor
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
GranadanounUS /ɡrəˈnɑːdə/
a city in southeastern Spain that was the capital of the Moorish kingdom until it was captured by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
hindrancenounUS /ˈhɪndrəns/
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
innovationsnounUS /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “innovation” — a creation (a new device or process) resulting from study and experimentation
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
held or filled or in use
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
with low volume
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
reignverbUS /reɪn/
have sovereign power
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
RENOWNnounUS /rɪˈnaʊn/
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
SpainnounUS /speɪn/
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN Nothing makes a prince so much esteemed as great enterprises and setting a fine example.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and this enterprise was the foundation of his dominions.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We have in our time Ferdinand of Aragon, the present King of Spain.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He did this quietly at first and without any fear of hindrance, for he held the minds of the barons of Castile occupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations; thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring power and authority over them.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He can almost be called a new prince, because he has risen, by fame and glory, from being an insignificant king to be the foremost king in Christendom; and if you will consider his deeds you will find them all great and some of them extraordinary.
