Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

serving or used in place of another

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

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

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

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

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

a native or inhabitant of England prior to the Norman Conquest

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

the force by which one object attracts another

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

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

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

growing close together but not in dense mats

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

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

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

Emperor of Rome who stopped the persecution of Christians and in 324 made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire; in 330 he moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople (280-337)

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

an event that results in a transformation

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

travel across or pass over

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

Anglo-Saxon poet (circa 9th century)

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

be different

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

an abstract part of something

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

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

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

the male ruler of an empire

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

divisible by two

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

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 Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

the trait of being willing to give your money or time

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

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

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

only a very short time before

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

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

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

a person who does not acknowledge your god

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

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

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

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

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

stimulating or exalting to the spirit

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

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

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

plural of “legend” — a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

for the most part

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

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 Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

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

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

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

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

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 the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

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

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

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

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

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

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

precisely as stated

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading Thus "the moral Gower" has preserved for us an alternative legend of the cause of Constantine's conversion, which forms a good illustration of the virtue of pity in the "Confessio Amantis."

a vivid mental image

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

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

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

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

From this reading It is hardly surprising that other legends of his conversion and generosity should have sprung up, which differ entirely from the earlier and more authentic record.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The story of the Vision of the Holy Cross with the inscription _In hoc signo vinces_ was inspiring to a poet to whom the heathen were a living reality, not a distant abstraction; and Constantine's generosity to the Church of Rome and its bishop Sylvester added another element of attraction to his character in the mediæval mind.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The Position of Constantine It would seem that the Emperor Constantine the Great loomed very large in the eyes of mediæval England.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Even in Anglo-Saxon times many legends clustered round his name, so that Cynewulf, the religious poet of early England, wrote the poem of "Elene" mainly on the subject of his conversion.