1100
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
alliterativeadjectiveUS /əˈlɪtərətɪv/
having the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nor as a rule is the matter greatly superior to the manner.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
BrutadjectiveUS /bruːt/
(of champagne) extremely dry
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
ChaucernounUS /ˈtʃɔːsər/
English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
CHAUCER'SnounUS /ˈtʃɔːsərz/
possessive form of “chaucer” — English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
chroniclesnounUS /ˈkrɑːnɪkəlz/
plural of “chronicle” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
ConquestnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkwest/
the act of conquering
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
didacticismnoun
communication that is suitable for or intended to be instructive
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
ebbverbUS /eb/
flow back or recede
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
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 CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
epicadjectiveUS /ˈepɪk/
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
fourteenthadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the thirteenth in position
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Nor as a rule is the matter greatly superior to the manner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
homiliesnounUS /ˈhoʊməliz/
plural of “homily” — a sermon on a moral or religious topic
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
jog-trot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
Ker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
lamentverbUS /ləˈment/
express grief verbally
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
Layamon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Nor as a rule is the matter greatly superior to the manner.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Nor as a rule is the matter greatly superior to the manner.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
mysticismnounUS /ˈmɪstɪsɪzəm/
a religion based on mystical communion with an ultimate reality
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor as a rule is the matter greatly superior to the manner.
NormannounUS /ˈnɔːrmən/
United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
literature in metrical form
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
pre-Conquest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
primverbUS /prɪm/
assume a prim appearance
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
productionnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃən/
the act or process of producing something
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
respectabilitynounUS /riˌspektəˈbɪlɪti/
honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
rhymedadjectiveUS /raɪmd/
having corresponding sounds especially terminal sounds
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Nor as a rule is the matter greatly superior to the manner.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
scarcitynounUS /ˈskersɪti/
a small and inadequate amount
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Nor as a rule is the matter greatly superior to the manner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
thirteenthadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːr.tiːnθ/
Constituting number thirteen in a sequence.
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
trustedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪd/
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
twelfthadjectiveUS /twelfθ/
coming next after the eleventh and just before the thirteenth in position
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
unsteadyadjectiveUS /ənˈstedi/
subject to change or variation
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
literature in metrical form
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
a message informing of danger
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Norman Conquest had practically killed the old alliterative poetry, and the passion and mysticism of Old English epic and lament had given way to the prim didacticism of interminable homilies in verse, or the jog-trot respectability of rhymed chronicles.
at the time that
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "For a long time before and after 1100," says Professor Ker, "there is a great scarcity of English production," and the more ambitious attempts at verse which appeared in the twelfth, thirteenth, and early fourteenth centuries, are entirely lacking in the charm and dignity of pre-Conquest poetry.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "The verse of Layamon's _Brut_ is unsteady, never to be trusted, changing its pace without warning in a most uncomfortable way."
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
produce a literary work
From this reading CHAUCER'S WORKS When Chaucer began to write, English literature was at a low ebb.
