used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
anew
From this reading How pleasant it was to see the sun again!
(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 _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
beestes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
birdes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
blisse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
the two together, not just one
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
defaute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
remove the dust from
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
fill-dyke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
moving swiftly
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
grievest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
hemnounUS /hem/
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
hiz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How pleasant it was to see the sun again!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How pleasant it was to see the sun again!
joye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
king'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
knoweth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
makest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
march in a procession
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
meke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
mylde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
nenounUS /niː/
a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
not any; not one
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
peckverbUS /pek/
hit lightly with a picking motion
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
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 _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading How pleasant it was to see the sun again!
Ploughmannoun
a man who plows
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
ransomnounUS /ˈrænsəm/
money demanded for the return of a captured person
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading How pleasant it was to see the sun again!
sendest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
someradjectiveUS /ˈsʌmər/
comparative of “some” — (quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
sovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
streamsnounUS /striːmz/
plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
a vivid mental image
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
welneigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
wildenounUS /waɪld/
Irish writer and wit (1854-1900)
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading _Vision of Piers Ploughman._ The winds of heaven were blowing, blowing; dust was flying on the roads.
in the company of; together with
From this reading February fill-dyke had filled the springs and the streams, and now March with his gay sun, and wild winds was drying them as hard as he could.
wodes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
wormsnounUS /wɜːrmz/
plural of “worm” — any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading The old saying that "a peck is worth a king's ransom" returned to my mind.
wynter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _MARCH_ "To birdes and beestes That no blisse ne knoweth, And wild worms in wodes Through wynter thou them grievest, And makest hem welneigh meke, And mylde for defaute, And after thou sendest hem somer, That is hiz sovereign joye, And blisse to all that be, Both wilde and tame."
