Chapter II

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

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From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

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From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

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From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

in an accurate manner

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

(Roman Catholic Church) English monk and scholar (672-735)

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

maintain with or as if with a bet

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

brought into existence

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

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From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

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From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

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From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading God turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

one or the other of two

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

divisible by two

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

at any time

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading God turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

a family of languages of the Fulani of West Africa and used as a lingua franca in the sub-Saharan regions from Senegal to Chad; the best known of the West African languages

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

inflected form of “gin” — separate the seeds from (cotton) with a cotton gin

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading God turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading God turne us every dreem to gode!

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

express greetings upon meeting someone

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

an old form of “has”

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

cause to move by striking

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

a prayer asking God's help as part of a religious service

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

plural of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

engage in

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

having the nature of or resulting from malice

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the force of workers available

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

plural of “miracle” — any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

workman employed by a moving company

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

not one and not the other of two

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

a quantity of no importance

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

not any; not one

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the middle of the day

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

and nothing more

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

plural of “oracle” — an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

above and across; more than

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

restricted to something

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

give an interpretation or explanation to

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the basic unit of money in Uzbekistan

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

battle of World War II

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

plural of “sone” — a unit of perceived loudness equal to the loudness of a 1000-hertz tone at 40 dB above threshold

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

carry out

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

a special situation

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading God turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading God turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

an old word for “to”

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading God turne us every dreem to gode!

past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used to ask for information about something

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

in the company of; together with

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 65 _The Invocation._ But at my ginning, trusteth wel, I wol make invocacioun, With special devocioun, Unto the god of slepe anoon, That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, That is a flood of helle unswete; Besyde a folk men clepe Cimerie, Ther slepeth ay this god unmerie With his slepy thousand sones 75 That alway for to slepe hir wone is-- And to this god, that I of rede, Preye I, that he wol me spede My sweven for to telle aright, If every dreem stonde in his might.

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading For hit is wonder, by the rode, To my wit, what causeth swevenes Either on morwes, or on evenes; And why the effect folweth of somme, 5 And of somme hit shal never come; Why that is an avisioun, And this a revelacioun; Why this a dreem, why that a sweven, And nat to every man liche even; 10 Why this a fantom, these oracles, I noot; but who-so of these miracles The causes knoweth bet than I, Devyne he; for I certeinly Ne can hem noght, ne never thinke 15 To besily my wit to swinke, To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres, neither the distaunce Of tymes of hem, ne the causes For-why this more than that cause is; 20 As if folkes complexiouns Make hem dreme of reflexiouns; Or elles thus, as other sayn, For to greet feblenesse of brayn, By abstinence, or by seeknesse, 25 Prison, stewe, or greet distresse; Or elles by disordinaunce Of naturel acustomaunce, That som man is to curious In studie, or melancolious, 30 Or thus, so inly ful of drede, That no man may him bote bede; Or elles, that devocioun Of somme, and contemplacioun Causeth swiche dremes ofte; 35 Or that the cruel lyf unsofte Which these ilke lovers leden That hopen over muche or dreden, That purely hir impressiouns Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 Or if that spirits have the might To make folk to dreme a-night Or if the soule, of propre kinde, Be so parfit, as men finde, That hit forwot that is to come, 45 And that hit warneth alle and somme Of everiche of hir aventures By avisiouns, or by figures, But that our flesh ne hath no might To understonden hit aright, 50 For hit is warned to derkly;-- But why the cause is, noght wot I. Wel worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes, That trete of this and other werkes; For I of noon opinioun 55 Nil as now make mencioun, But only that the holy rode Turne us every dreem to gode!

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From this reading 80 And he, that mover is of al That is and was, and ever shal, So yive hem Ioye that hit here Of alle that they dreme to-yere, And for to stonden alle in grace 85 Of hir loves, or in what place That hem wer levest for to stonde, And shelde hem fro povert and shonde, And fro unhappe and ech disese, And sende hem al that may hem plese, 90 That take hit wel, and scorne hit noght, Ne hit misdemen in her thoght Through malicious entencioun.

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From this reading For never, sith that I was born, Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 Mette, I trowe stedfastly, So wonderful a dreem as I The tenthe day [dide] of Decembre, The which, as I can now remembre, I wol yow tellen every del.