adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The best known of all is perhaps that of Ossian.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The best known of all is perhaps that of Ossian.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
centurynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/
a period of 100 years
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
GaelicadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪlɪk/
relating to or characteristic of the Celts
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
IrelandnounUS /ˈaɪərlənd/
a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The best known of all is perhaps that of Ossian.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The best known of all is perhaps that of Ossian.
linkedadjectiveUS /lɪŋkt/
connected by a link, as railway cars or trailer trucks
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
manuscriptsnounUS /ˈmænjəskrɪpts/
plural of “manuscript” — the form of a literary work submitted for publication
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
namesnounUS /neɪmz/
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
Ossian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best known of all is perhaps that of Ossian.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading The best known of all is perhaps that of Ossian.
poemsnounUS /ˈpoʊəmz/
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/
literature in metrical form
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The best known of all is perhaps that of Ossian.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
twelfthadjectiveUS /twelfθ/
coming next after the eleventh and just before the thirteenth in position
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
warriornounUS /ˈwɔːriər/
someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Ossian was a warrior and chief as well as a poet, and as a poet he is claimed both by Scotland and by Ireland.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
WHOpronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading But as Ossian, if he ever lived, lived in the third century, as it is not probable that his poems were written down at the time, and as the oldest books that we have containing any of his poetry were written in the twelfth century, it is very difficult to be sure that he really made the poems called by his name.
wroteverbUS /roʊt/
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading WHO wrote the stories which are found in the old Gaelic manuscripts we do not know, yet the names of some of the old Gaelic poets have come down to us.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But perhaps his name has become more nearly linked to Scotland because of the story that I am going to tell you now.
