used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
(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 And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
BeowulfnounUS /ˈbeɪəwʊlf/
the legendary hero of an anonymous Old English epic poem composed in the early 8th century; he slays a monster and becomes king but dies fighting a dragon
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
championnounUS /ˈtʃæmpiən/
someone who has won first place in a competition
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
a person who is in charge
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
a young person of either sex
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
echoverbUS /ˈekoʊ/
to say again or imitate
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
fainadjectiveUS /feɪn/
having made preparations
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
faithfullyadverbUS /ˈfeɪθfəli/
in a faithful manner
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
Frieslanders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
Gothland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
Goths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
grievouslyadverbUS /ˈɡriːvəsli/
in a grievous manner
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
Hardred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
helpsnounUS /helps/
plural of “help” — the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
Hygelac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
Hygelac's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
set down according to a plan
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
loyaladjectiveUS /ˈlɔɪəl/
steadfast in allegiance or duty
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
loyallyadverbUS /ˈlɔɪəli/
with loyalty; in a loyal manner
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
not any; not one
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
noblyadverbUS /ˈnɑːbli/
in a noble manner
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
many times at short intervals
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
preceptnounUS /ˈpriːsept/
rule of personal conduct
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
shieldnounUS /ʃiːld/
a protective covering or structure
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
a male human offspring
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
steadnounUS /sted/
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
supplantverbUS /səˈplænt/
take the place or move into the position of
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
undoomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On his shield he laid the infant prince, Hardred, and held him up for the people to see.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
vowedverbUS /vaʊd/
past form of “vow” — make a vow; promise
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
warriornounUS /ˈwɔːriər/
someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
at the time that
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
which person or people
From this reading And when he had proclaimed the child King and vowed to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, there was no man there who did not loyally echo the promise of their hero, Beowulf.
belonging to which person
From this reading "The Must Be often helps an undoomed man when he is brave" was the precept on which he ruled his life, and he never failed the King whose chief champion and warrior he was.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Goths would fain have made him their King, in Hygelac's stead, but Beowulf was too loyal a soul to supplant his uncle's own son.
people who are wounded
From this reading When, in an expedition against the Frieslanders, King Hygelac fell a victim to the cunning of his foes, the sword of Beowulf fought nobly for him to the end, and the hero was a grievously wounded man when he brought back to Gothland the body of the dead King.
