adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
absurditiesnounUS /əbˈsɜːrdətiz/
plural of “absurdity” — a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
armnounUS /ɑːrm/
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Why, the Emperor would have reached out that long arm of his and dismissed Herod.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
considerverbUS /kənˈsɪdər/
deem to be
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
curiositiesnounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsətiz/
plural of “curiosity” — a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading Why, the Emperor would have reached out that long arm of his and dismissed Herod.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
EmperornounUS /ˈempərər/
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading Why, the Emperor would have reached out that long arm of his and dismissed Herod.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
first-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
furnishverbUS /ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
HerodnounUS /ˈherəd/
king of Judea who (according to the New Testament) tried to kill Jesus by ordering the death of all children under age two in Bethlehem (73-4 BC)
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
Herod's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Why, the Emperor would have reached out that long arm of his and dismissed Herod.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
innocentsnounUS /ˈɪnəsənts/
plural of “innocent” — a person who lacks knowledge of evil
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/
past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
JustadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
kingnounUS /kɪŋ/
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Why, the Emperor would have reached out that long arm of his and dismissed Herod.
lotnounUS /lɑːt/
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
makesnounUS /meɪks/
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/
make reference to
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
orderingnounUS /ˈɔːrdərɪŋ/
logical or comprehensible arrangement of separate elements
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Why, the Emperor would have reached out that long arm of his and dismissed Herod.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
pettyadjectiveUS /ˈpetiː/
inferior in rank or status
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Why, the Emperor would have reached out that long arm of his and dismissed Herod.
religiousadjectiveUS /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
rulernounUS /ˈruːlər/
a person who rules or commands
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
slaughternounUS /ˈslɔːtər/
the killing of animals (as for food)
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
subjectsnounUS /ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Just consider a little king of a corner of the Roman Empire ordering the slaughter of the first-born of a lot of Roman subjects.
SundaynounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
superstitionsnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/
plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
Tacitusnoun
Roman historian who wrote major works on the history of the Roman Empire (56-120)
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
themesnounUS /θiːmz/
plural of “theme” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I remember one Sunday, when he walked down to have luncheon at my house, he sat under the shade and fell to talking of Herod's slaughter of the innocents, which he said could not have happened.
WhynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why, the Emperor would have reached out that long arm of his and dismissed Herod.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The curiosities and absurdities of religious superstitions never failed to furnish him with themes more or less amusing.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Tacitus makes no mention of it," he said, "and he would hardly have overlooked a sweeping order like that, issued by a petty ruler like Herod.
