used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
anew
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
have
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
cauldronnounUS /ˈkɑːldrən/
a very large pot that is used for boiling
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
herbsnounUS /ɜːrbz/
plural of “herb” — a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
HeroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
JasonnounUS /ˈdʒeɪsən/
(Greek mythology) the husband of Medea and leader of the Argonauts who sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
set down according to a plan
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
lambnounUS /læm/
young sheep
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
immediately past
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
leaptverbUS /lept/
inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
engage in
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
Malea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
not any; not one
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
Pelias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
punishverbUS /ˈpʌnɪʃ/
impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
purifiedverbUS /ˈpjʊrəfaɪd/
inflected form of “purify” — remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and separate through the process of distillation
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
ramverbUS /ræm/
strike or drive against with a heavy impact
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
sacrificesnounUS /ˈsækrəfaɪsɪz/
plural of “sacrifice” — the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And first she laid a cunning plot, to punish that poor old Pelias, instead of letting him die in peace.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
spellsnounUS /spelz/
plural of “spell” — a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading _What Was the End of the Heroes_ And now I wish that I could end my story pleasantly; but it is no fault of mine that I cannot.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So she took an old ram and killed him, and put him in a cauldron with magic herbs; and whispered her spells over him, and he leapt out again a young lamb.
but in spite of that
From this reading The old songs end it sadly, and I believe that they are right and wise; for though the heroes were purified at Malea, yet sacrifices cannot make bad hearts good, and Jason had taken a wicked wife, and he had to bear his burden to the last.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For she told his daughters: "I can make old things young again; I will show you how easy it is to do."
