adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
braveadjectiveUS /breɪv/
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
breadnounUS /bred/
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
Candlemasnoun
feast day commemorating the presentation of Christ in the temple; a quarter day in Scotland
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
cavitiesnounUS /ˈkævɪtiz/
plural of “cavity” — a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
cidernounUS /ˈsaɪdər/
a beverage made from juice pressed from apples
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
coloursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
crustnounUS /krʌst/
the outer layer of the Earth
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/
a boy or man
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
flatadjectiveUS /flæt/
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
freeverbUS /friː/
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
Heigh-ho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
hollowadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːloʊ/
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
jugnounUS /dʒʌɡ/
a large bottle with a narrow mouth
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
KingnounUS /kɪŋ/
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
KING'SnounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
lankyadjectiveUS /ˈlæŋki/
tall and thin and having long slender limbs
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
leaguesnounUS /liːɡz/
plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
lovinglyadverbUS /ˈlʌvɪŋli/
with fondness; with love
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
manchet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
MARTINnounUS /ˈmɑːrtən/
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
mid-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
MidsummernounUS /ˈmɪdˈsʌmər/
June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
MINSTRELnounUS /ˈmɪnstrəl/
a singer of folk songs
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
pennynounUS /ˈpeni/
a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
piecenounUS /piːs/
a separate part of a whole
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
pocketnounUS /ˈpɑːkət/
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
repastnoun
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
sallowadjective
unhealthy looking
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
shoe-leather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
sighedverbUS /saɪd/
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
singverbUS /sɪŋ/
deliver by singing
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
singingnounUS /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
smouldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
softlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːftli/
with low volume
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
SONG-BIRD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/
successive (without a break)
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
til
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
tunedverbUS /tuːnd/
past form of “tune” — adjust for (better) functioning
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
vielle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
waysidenounUS /ˈweɪsaɪd/
edge of a way or road or path
From this reading THE KING’S SONG-BIRD MARTIN THE MINSTREL sat under a wayside oak singing softly to himself as he tuned his vielle.
wearyverbUS /ˈwɪri/
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
WestminsternounUS /ˌwestˈmɪnstər/
a borough of Greater London on the Thames; contains Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading A brave holiday I have had, from Candlemas to Midsummer; free to sing or to be silent, to smile or frown; wide England instead of palace walls; a crust of bread and a jug of cider instead of a king’s banquet.
winverbUS /wɪn/
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading “Heigh-ho!” sighed Martin, and laid the vielle lovingly beside him, “another four leagues to Westminster, and I weary enough of shoe-leather already, and not another penny piece in my pocket ’til I win back to good King Ned.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a long lanky fellow with straight black locks flat against his sallow face, and dark eyes that smouldered in hollow cavities.
woreverbUS /wɔːr/
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He wore the King’s colours, and broke a manchet of white bread with his mid-day repast.
