adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
ArthurnounUS /ˈɑːrθər/
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
BritainnounUS /ˈbrɪtən/
a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
Cymricnoun
a Celtic language of Wales
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading We have followed it before the coming of the Romans.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
formsnounUS /fɔːrmz/
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
GaelicadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪlɪk/
relating to or characteristic of the Celts
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
Geoffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
LatinadjectiveUS /ˈlætən/
of or relating to the ancient Latins or the Latin language
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
Layamon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
lednounUS /led/
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
LiteraturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
Mabinogion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
Malorynoun
English writer who published a translation of romances about King Arthur taken from French and other sources (died in 1471)
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
MapverbUS /mæp/
make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
MiddlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
Monmouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
RomansnounUS /ˈroʊmənz/
a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
Semi-Saxon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
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 We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
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 THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
TennysonnounUS /ˈtenɪsən/
Englishman and Victorian poet (1809-1892)
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
Wace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE story of Arthur has led us a long way.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
WelshnounUS /weltʃ/
a native or resident of Wales
From this reading We have followed it down through many forms: Welsh, in the stories of The Mabinogion; Latin, in the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth; French, in the stories of Wace and Map; Semi-Saxon, in the stories of Layamon; Middle English, in the stories of Malory; and at last English as we now speak it, in the stories of Tennyson.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Now we must go back and see why it is that our Literature is English, and why it is that we speak English, and not Gaelic, or Cymric, or Latin, or French.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We have almost forgotten that it began with the old Cymric stories, the stories of the people who lived in Britain before the coming of the Romans.