adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
alle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
beste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
charitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
chattelnounUS /ˈtʃætəl/
personal as opposed to real property; any tangible movable property (furniture or domestic animals or a car etc)
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
Christe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
delveverbUS /delv/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
digverbUS /dɪɡ/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
dikenounUS /daɪk/
(slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
ditchesnounUS /ˈdɪtʃəz/
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
dungnounUS /dʌŋ/
fecal matter of animals
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
fother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
gainverbUS /ɡeɪn/
obtain
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
goodsnounUS /ɡʊdz/
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
himselve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
hireverbUS /ˈhaɪər/
engage or hire for work
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
labournounUS /ˈleɪbər/
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
LivingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
lossnounUS /lɔːs/
something that is lost
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/
held dear
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
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 With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
marenounUS /mer/
female equine animal
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
neighebour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
painnounUS /peɪn/
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
payed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
PLOUGHMANnoun
a man who plows
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
poore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
rodeverbUS /roʊd/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
sakenounUS /seɪk/
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
swink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
swinker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
tabardnoun
a short sleeveless outer tunic emblazoned with a coat of arms; worn by a knight over his armor or by a herald
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
theretoadverbUS /ˈðertuː/
to that
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
threshverbUS /θreʃ/
move or stir about violently
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
tithes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
tonnounUS /tʌn/
a United States unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading His tithes payed he full fair and well, Both of his *proper swink*, and his chattel** *his own labour* **goods In a tabard* he rode upon a mare.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading God loved he beste with all his heart At alle times, were it gain or smart*, *pain, loss And then his neighebour right as himselve.
wightnounUS /waɪt/
a human being; “wight” is an archaic term
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
Withouten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
workernounUS /ˈwɜːrkər/
a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading *ton A true swinker* and a good was he, *hard worker Living in peace and perfect charity.
woulde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He woulde thresh, and thereto dike*, and delve, *dig ditches For Christe’s sake, for every poore wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.
y-laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With him there was a PLOUGHMAN, was his brother, That had y-laid of dung full many a fother*.
