used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
brother-in-lawnounUS /ˈbrʌðərɪnlɔː/
a brother by marriage
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
dislikedadjectiveUS /dɪˈslaɪkt/
regarded with aversion
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
dividesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪdz/
plural of “divide” — a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
dominionsnounUS /dəˈmɪnjənz/
plural of “dominion” — dominance or power through legal authority
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
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 ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
followersnounUS /ˈfɑːloʊərz/
a group of followers or enthusiasts
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
the act of departing
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
governingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/
responsible for making and enforcing rules and laws
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
king'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
held dear
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
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 William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
the force of workers available
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
not any; not one
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
NORMANnounUS /ˈnɔːrmən/
United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
NormandynounUS /ˈnɔːrməndi/
a former province of northwestern France on the English channel; divided into Haute-Normandie and Basse-Normandie
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
piousadjectiveUS /ˈpaɪəs/
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
prayingverbUS /ˈpreɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
in or at that place or location
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
a source of difficulty
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
precisely as stated
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
WessexnounUS /ˈwesəks/
a Saxon kingdom in southwestern England that became the most powerful English kingdom by the 10th century
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
which person or people
From this reading ENGLISH AND NORMAN In England there was an old King called Edward; a gentle pious man who disliked the trouble of governing, and who left his brother-in-law to rule the country while he himself spent his time in praying and in reading good books and going to church.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other side of the strip of sea which divides England from France, there lived at this time a very proud and ambitious man, William, Duke of Normandy.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Harold, Earl of Wessex, the king's brother-in-law, was one of the most able men then living; a true Englishman, wise and honourable.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The people of England loved and trusted Harold; and as Edward had no children to succeed to the throne, they hoped that after his death Harold would become their king.
a late time of life
From this reading William was descended from a great pirate who had come from the North, many years before, and had compelled the King of France to give him part of his dominions for himself and his followers to settle in.
