used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
(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 His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
appealedverbUS /əˈpiːld/
past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
astrologersnounUS /əˈstrɑːlədʒərz/
plural of “astrologer” — someone who predicts the future by the positions of the planets and sun and Moon
From this reading The astrologers have predicted that he will embrace the new doctrine.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
Barlaam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
behalfnounUS /bɪˈhæf/
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as “on behalf of” rather than “in behalf of”)
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
ChristiansnounUS /ˈkrɪstʃənz/
plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
createverbUS /kriˈeɪt/
make or cause to be or to become
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
DamascusnounUS /dəˈmæskəs/
an ancient city (widely regarded as the world's oldest) and present capital and largest city of Syria; according to the New Testament, the Apostle Paul (then known as Saul) underwent a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
doctrinenounUS /ˈdɑːktrən/
a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
From this reading The astrologers have predicted that he will embrace the new doctrine.
embraceverbUS /emˈbreɪs/
include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
From this reading The astrologers have predicted that he will embrace the new doctrine.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
an opposing military force
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
with resolute determination
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
intercessionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈseʃən/
a prayer to God on behalf of another person
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
Josaphat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
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 Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
MaxnounUS /mæks/
street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
miseriesnounUS /ˈmɪzəriz/
plural of “misery” — a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
Müller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The astrologers have predicted that he will embrace the new doctrine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
and nothing more
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
persecutornounUS /ˈpɜːrsəkjuːtər/
someone who torments
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
predictedverbUS /prɪˈdɪktɪd/
past form of “predict” — make a prediction about; tell in advance
From this reading The astrologers have predicted that he will embrace the new doctrine.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
saintsnounUS /seɪnts/
plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
a male human offspring
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
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 Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
sumsnounUS /sʌmz/
plural of “sum” — a quantity of money
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
required or under orders
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
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 Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
triesnounUS /traɪz/
plural of “try” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading St. John said that he received it from travellers coming from India, and so firmly did he believe in its truth, that at the end of the story he appealed to the two saints for their intercession on his behalf.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Max Müller sums up the tale as follows: “A king in India, an enemy and persecutor of the Christians, has an only son.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The astrologers have predicted that he will embrace the new doctrine.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading His father, therefore, tries by all means to keep him ignorant of the miseries of the world, and to create in him a taste for pleasure and enjoyment.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Amongst the many books which St. John of Damascus wrote, or is supposed to have written, is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
