used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
in the past
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
BRITAINnounUS /ˈbrɪtən/
a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
BritonsnounUS /ˈbrɪtənz/
plural of “briton” — a native or inhabitant of Great Britain
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
catsnounUS /kæts/
plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
deernounUS /dɪr/
distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
drovesnounUS /droʊvz/
plural of “drove” — a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
forestsnounUS /ˈfɔːrəsts/
plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
herdsnounUS /hɜːrdz/
plural of “herd” — a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
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 The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
moorsnounUS /mʊrz/
plural of “moor” — one of the Muslim people of north Africa; of mixed Arab and Berber descent; converted to Islam in the 8th century; conqueror of Spain in the 8th century
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
not any; not one
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
plasteredadjectiveUS /ˈplæstərd/
(of hair) made smooth by applying a sticky or glossy substance
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
plural of “story” — 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 The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
swampsnounUS /swɑːmps/
plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
precisely as stated
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In those days, the country was not called England but Britain; and the people were the ancient Britons.
at the time that
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
in or at the place that
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The ancient Britons lived in huts built of branches of trees plastered with mud, very low in the roof, and dark, having no windows; and there were no chimneys to let out the smoke.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
wolvesnounUS /wʊlvz/
plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading In the time of the Britons, the greater part of the country was covered with moors and swamps, and with great forests, where dangerous wild animals lived: wolves and bears and wild cats; where herds of deer wandered, and droves of wild cattle.
a late time of life
From this reading A HERO OF ANCIENT BRITAIN There was a time, many years ago, when this England of ours was a savage country.
but in spite of that
From this reading The oldest stories that we read about our island happened so long ago, that the English had not yet come to the land where we live.
