alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
Aurea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
choicenounUS /tʃɔɪs/
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
ChristiansnounUS /ˈkrɪstʃənz/
plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
commandedverbUS /kəˈmændɪd/
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
ConstantinenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəntiːn/
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 "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading So great was the consternation in the city, that the friend denounced his friend, the father his son, and the son his father.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
Deciusnoun
Emperor of Rome who was proclaimed emperor against his will; his reign was notable for his severe persecution of Christians (201-251)
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
denouncedverbUS /dɪˈnaʊnst/
past form of “denounce” — speak out against
From this reading So great was the consternation in the city, that the friend denounced his friend, the father his son, and the son his father.
dieverbUS /daɪ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
DionysiusnounUS /ˌdaɪəˈnɪsiəs/
the tyrant of Syracuse who fought the Carthaginians (430-367 BC)
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
EmperornounUS /ˈempərər/
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
EPHESUSnounUS /ˈefʊsəs/
an ancient Greek city on the western shore of Asia Minor in what is now Turkey; site of the Temple of Artemis; was a major trading center and played an important role in early Christianity
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
erectionnounUS /ɪˈrekʃən/
an erect penis
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading So great was the consternation in the city, that the friend denounced his friend, the father his son, and the son his father.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading So great was the consternation in the city, that the friend denounced his friend, the father his son, and the son his father.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading So great was the consternation in the city, that the friend denounced his friend, the father his son, and the son his father.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
idolsnounUS /ˈaɪdəlz/
plural of “idol” — a material effigy that is worshipped
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
Jacques
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
Legenda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
Malchus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
Marcian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
Maximiannoun
Roman Emperor from 286 until he abdicated in 305; when Diocletian divided the Roman Empire in 286 Maximian became emperor in the west (died in 311)
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
mythsnounUS /mɪθs/
plural of “myth” — a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
nativesnounUS /ˈneɪtɪvz/
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading "The seven sleepers were natives of Ephesus.
NowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
persecutedverbUS /ˈpɜːrsəkjuːtɪd/
past form of “persecute” — cause to suffer
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
sacrificenounUS /ˈsækrəfaɪs/
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
Serapion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
SEVENnounUS /ˈsevən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
SLEEPERSnounUS /ˈsliːpərz/
plural of “sleeper” — a rester who is sleeping
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So great was the consternation in the city, that the friend denounced his friend, the father his son, and the son his father.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading So great was the consternation in the city, that the friend denounced his friend, the father his son, and the son his father.
soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/
that is looked for
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Now there were in Ephesus seven Christians, Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, Dionysius, John, Serapion, and Constantine by name.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
Voragine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS One of the most picturesque myths of ancient days is that told by Jacques de Voragine, in his "Legenda Aurea":
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So great was the consternation in the city, that the friend denounced his friend, the father his son, and the son his father.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "The seven sleepers were natives of Ephesus.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
worshipverbUS /ˈwɜːrʃəp/
love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading The Emperor Decius, who persecuted the Christians, having come to Ephesus, ordered the erection of temples in the city, that all might come and sacrifice before him; and he commanded that the Christians should be sought out and given their choice, either to worship the idols, or to die.
