used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
A-Maying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
accompanimentsnounUS /əˈkʌmpnɪmənts/
plural of “accompaniment” — an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
arbornounUS /ˈɑːrbər/
tree (as opposed to shrub)
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
for the reason that
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
bowernounUS /ˈbaʊər/
a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
celebrationnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
courtiersnounUS /ˈkɔːrtiərz/
plural of “courtier” — an attendant at the court of a sovereign
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
crownedadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
datesnounUS /deɪts/
plural of “date” — the specified day of the month
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading Then the people decorated their houses with the flowers they had brought.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
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 those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
fairestadjectiveUS /ˈferɪst/
superlative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
FloranounUS /ˈflɔːrə/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Then the people decorated their houses with the flowers they had brought.
assemble or get together
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
goddessnounUS /ˈɡɑːdəs/
a female deity
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
the act of departing
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then the people decorated their houses with the flowers they had brought.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
hawthornnounUS /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/
a spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Then the people decorated their houses with the flowers they had brought.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
a female domestic
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
many times at short intervals
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Then the people decorated their houses with the flowers they had brought.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
tabornounUS /ˈteɪbər/
a small drum with one head of soft calfskin
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And because of this, they called this ceremony bringing Home the May, or going A-Maying, and so the hawthorn bloom itself acquired the name of May, and is often spoken of by that name.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then the people decorated their houses with the flowers they had brought.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then the people decorated their houses with the flowers they had brought.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the people decorated their houses with the flowers they had brought.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
at the time that
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Especially did they gather hawthorn, and huge branches of this flower were brought home about sunrise, with accompaniments of pipe and tabor, and much joy and merriment.
worshippedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrʃəpt/
regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god)
From this reading But the custom of having a May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they especially worshipped the goddess Flora.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading In those early days, the fairest maid of the village was crowned with flowers, and called the Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her youthful courtiers danced and sang around her.
