Chapter III

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

plural of “antiquity” — the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

plural of “ballad” — a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

being joined in close association

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

obvious to the eye or mind

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

distinguish oneself

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

with specific intentions; for the express purpose

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

(Arthurian legend) one of the knights of the Round Table; friend of King Arthur until (according to some versions of the legend) he became the lover of Arthur's wife Guinevere

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

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 It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

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 With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

of or relating to poetry

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

compacted by ironing

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

third-person singular of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

the act of doing or performing again

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

past form of “resort” — have recourse to

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

plural of “rhyme” — correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

term of address for a man

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

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 story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

get on top of; deal with successfully

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

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 story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading One of the most celebrated of our most ancient ballads relates to the latter, and to his marriage with the mis-shapen lady that afterwards became so fair.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

plural of “tournament” — a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading Among these knights, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Bevis, and Sir Gawaine are the most conspicuous in tradition.

lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

an old word for “to”

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

precisely as stated

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The story is a very beautiful one; and was the model upon which Chaucer founded his Wife of Bath's Tale.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With fifty good and able Knights that resorted unto him And were of his round table: Did hold his jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many pressed, Wherein some knights did far excel And eke surmount the rest.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading It is worth repeating, for the sake of those to whom the uncouth rhymes of ancient days are not familiar; but though it is likely enough that the number of these is but few, it is too interesting, as connected with Carlisle, to be left unmentioned in a chapter expressly devoted to the poetical antiquities of the place.