used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
(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 Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
avengeverbUS /əˈvendʒ/
take revenge for a perceived wrong
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
Beowulf's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
claspverbUS /klæsp/
hold firmly and tightly
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
communitiesnounUS /kəˈmjuːnətiz/
plural of “community” — a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
Connla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
Cuchulain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
dearly loved
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/
a native or inhabitant of Europe
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
a social unit living together
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
death of a person
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
HectornounUS /ˈhektər/
(Greek mythology) a mythical Trojan who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
IntroductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
kinsmannounUS /ˈkɪnzmæn/
a male relative
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
kinsman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
kinsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
lamentverbUS /ləˈment/
express grief verbally
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
mournverbUS /mɔːrn/
feel sadness
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
to a great degree or extent
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
obligationsnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “obligation” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
have ownership or possession of
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
paramountadjectiveUS /ˈperəmaʊnt/
having superior power and influence
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
plaintnoun
(United Kingdom) a written statement of the grounds of complaint made to court of law asking for the grievance to be redressed
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
Priam'snounUS /ˈpraɪæmz/
possessive form of “priam” — (Greek mythology) the last king of Troy; father of Hector and Paris and Cassandra
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
an angry dispute
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
remembersverbUS /rɪˈmembərz/
third-person singular of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
slewverbUS /sluː/
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
a male human offspring
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
be standing; be upright
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
strifenounUS /straɪf/
lack of agreement or harmony
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How pitiful is the aged Priam's lament that he must needs kiss the hands that slew his dear son Hector, and, kneeling, clasp the knees of his son's murderer!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Introduction In every society and in all periods the obligations of family affection and duty to kinsmen have been recognised as paramount.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
unavengedadjective
for which vengeance has not been taken
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
unrighteousadjective
not righteous
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
unwittingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪtɪŋ/
not done with purpose or intent
From this reading How sad is Cuchulain's plaint that his son Connla must go down to the grave unavenged, since his own father slew him, all unwitting!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the early European communities a man's first duty was to stand by his kinsman in strife and to avenge him in death, however unrighteous the kinsman's quarrel might be.
the words that are spoken
From this reading One remembers, too, Beowulf's words: "Better it is for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn him much!"
