1332
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
alliterativeadjectiveUS /əˈlɪtərətɪv/
having the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
ChaucernounUS /ˈtʃɔːsər/
English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
Cleobury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
ContemporaryadjectiveUS /kənˈtempəreri/
characteristic of the present
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
detachedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtætʃt/
showing lack of emotional involvement
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
educatedadjectiveUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪd/
possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
usually; as a rule
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
GOWER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOWER.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
Langland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
LangleynounUS /ˈlæŋli/
unit of solar radiation
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
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 By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
joined in matrimony
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
Oxfordshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
piecingverbUS /ˈpiːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “piece” — to join or unite the pieces of
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
PIERSnounUS /pɪrz/
plural of “pier” — a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading "PIERS PLOWMAN."
PLOWMANnounUS /ˈplaʊmən/
a man who plows
From this reading "PIERS PLOWMAN."
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
ramverbUS /ræm/
strike or drive against with a heavy impact
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
ruffnounUS /rʌf/
an external body part consisting of feathers or hair about the neck of a bird or other animal
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
rumnounUS /rʌm/
liquor distilled from fermented molasses
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
cut with a saw
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
Shropshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
required or under orders
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This author is generally supposed to have been named William Langley or Langland.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Contemporary with Chaucer, and in perfect contrast with Chaucer, whom he probably never met, was the author of the alliterative "rum, ram, ruff," poem "Piers Plowman".
Wychwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading By piecing together many detached pieces of evidence the conjecture is reached that William first saw the light at Cleobury in Shropshire or at Wychwood in Oxfordshire, about the year 1332, was well educated, was in minor orders, and a married man.
