adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
absolutelyadverbUS /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this time Vortigern reigned in Britain.
banishmentnounUS /ˈbænɪʃmənt/
the state of being banished or ostracized (excluded from society by general consent)
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
baptismaladjectiveUS /bæpˈtɪzməl/
of or relating to baptism
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
birthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
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 At this time Vortigern reigned in Britain.
brothersnounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
causedverbUS /kɑːzd/
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
classnounUS /klæs/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
constantadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstənt/
unvarying in nature
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
fountnoun
a specific size and style of type within a type family
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
heirsnounUS /erz/
plural of “heir” — a person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At this time Vortigern reigned in Britain.
Incubusnoun
a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
inhabitverbUS /ˌɪnˈhæbət/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
intrusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
kingnounUS /kɪŋ/
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
kingdomnounUS /ˈkɪŋdəm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
lotnounUS /lɑːt/
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
marksnounUS /mɑːrks/
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
MERLINnounUS /ˈmɜːrlɪn/
(Arthurian legend) the magician who acted as King Arthur's advisor
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
Merlin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
Moines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/
subject to death
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
namesnounUS /neɪmz/
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
Pendragonnoun
the supreme war chief of the ancient Britons
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
priestnounUS /priːst/
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading At this time Vortigern reigned in Britain.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
rightfuladjectiveUS /ˈraɪtfəl/
legally valid
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
savedadjectiveUS /seɪvd/
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
sharingnounUS /ˈʃerɪŋ/
using or enjoying something jointly with others
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
sovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this time Vortigern reigned in Britain.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At this time Vortigern reigned in Britain.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
towernounUS /ˈtaʊər/
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a strong tower for defence.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
unearthlyadjectiveUS /əˈnɜːrθli/
concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
usurpernoun
one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
Uther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
virtuousadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːəs/
morally excellent
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
Vortigern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this time Vortigern reigned in Britain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading He was a usurper, who had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon, into banishment.
wickedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪkəd/
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading MERLIN Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who inhabit the regions of the air.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Merlin's mother was a virtuous young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks of his unearthly origin.
