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The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights
The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights is here in full — 19 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/3 · 5 lines
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Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur
Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.
Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.
King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.
Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights is here in full — 19 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/3 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur
Line 2
Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.
Line 3
Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.
Line 4
King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.
Line 5
Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

accuses verb US /əˈkjuːzɪz/

third-person singular of “accuse” — bring an accusation against; level a charge against

From this reading “Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur”

chronicled verb US /ˈkrɑːnɪkəld/

past form of “chronicle” — record in chronological order; make a historical record

From this reading “King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.”

diversity noun US /dɪˈvɜːrsɪti/

noticeable heterogeneity

From this reading “Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.”

Excalibur noun US /ˌekˈskæləbər/

the legendary sword of King Arthur

From this reading “Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur”

illustrating verb US /ˈɪləstreɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading “Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.”

overrunning verb US /ˈoʊvərrʌnɪŋ/

inflected form of “overrun” — invade in great numbers

From this reading “King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.”

Usurpation noun US /ˌjuːsərˈpeɪʃən/

entry to another's property without right or permission

From this reading “Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur”

Watts noun US /wɑːts/

English poet and theologian (1674-1748)

From this reading “Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.”

All words in this reading · 170

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

accusesverbUS /əˈkjuːzɪz/

third-person singular of “accuse” — bring an accusation against; level a charge against

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

achievementsnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənts/

plural of “achievement” — the action of accomplishing something

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

actualadjectiveUS /ˈæktʃəwəl/

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

Agravaine

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

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 Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

appealedverbUS /əˈpiːld/

past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

armournounUS /ˈɑːrmər/

a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

ArthurnounUS /ˈɑːrθər/

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

Barham

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

BattlenounUS /ˈbætəl/

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

Bedivere

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

BlairnounUS /bler/

British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

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 King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/

the people of Great Britain

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

Burne

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

burntadjectiveUS /bɜːrnt/

ruined by overcooking

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

centurynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

chargernounUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒər/

formerly a strong swift horse ridden into battle

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

chronicledverbUS /ˈkrɑːnɪkəld/

past form of “chronicle” — record in chronological order; make a historical record

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/

an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/

past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

CourtnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

deadadjectiveUS /ded/

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

DeathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

diversitynounUS /dɪˈvɜːrsɪti/

noticeable heterogeneity

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

DownsnounUS /daʊnz/

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/

plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

Elaine

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

enduredverbUS /enˈdjʊrd/

past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

EnmitynounUS /ˈenməti/

a state of deep-seated ill-will

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

every-day

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

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

ExcaliburnounUS /ˌekˈskæləbər/

the legendary sword of King Arthur

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

fifteenthadjectiveUS /fɪfˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the fourteenth and just before the sixteenth in position

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

fifteenth-century

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

flightnounUS /flaɪt/

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

followverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊ/

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

foughtverbUS /fɔːt/

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

freeverbUS /friː/

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

Froissart

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

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

GalahadnounUS /ˈɡæləhæd/

(Arthurian legend) the most virtuous knight of the Round Table; was able to see the Holy Grail

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

GawainnounUS /ˈɡɑːwən/

(Arthurian legend) a nephew of Arthur and one of the knights of the Round Table

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

habitsnounUS /ˈhæbəts/

plural of “habit” — an established custom

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

illustratingverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

impracticableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpræktɪkəbəl/

not capable of being carried out or put into practice

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

JonesnounUS /dʒoʊnz/

United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

knightnounUS /naɪt/

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 Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

KnightsnounUS /naɪts/

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 Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

LancelotnounUS /ˈlænsəlɑːt/

(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 Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

leavesnounUS /liːvz/

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

LegendsnounUS /ˈledʒəndz/

plural of “legend” — a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

Leighton's

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

lovelyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvli/

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

Malorynoun

English writer who published a translation of romances about King Arthur taken from French and other sources (died in 1471)

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

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 Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

mentionedverbUS /ˈmenʃənd/

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

Modred

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

mysticadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstɪk/

having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

NunnerynounUS /ˈnʌnəri/

the convent of a community of nuns

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

others

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

otherwiseadverbUS /ˈʌðərwaɪz/

in other respects or ways

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

overrunningverbUS /ˈoʊvərrʌnɪŋ/

inflected form of “overrun” — invade in great numbers

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/

coated with paint

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

paintersnounUS /ˈpeɪntərz/

plural of “painter” — an artist who paints

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/

graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/

an amount of time

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

picturesnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərz/

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

PilgrimagenounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəmədʒ/

a journey to a sacred place

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

puttingnounUS /ˈpʌtɪŋ/

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

QueennounUS /kwiːn/

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

regardlessadverbUS /rəˈɡɑːrdləs/

in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/

free from harm or evil

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

retiresverbUS /rɪˈtaɪrz/

third-person singular of “retire” — go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

RoundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

SaxonnounUS /ˈsæksən/

a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

SaxonsnounUS /ˈsæksənz/

plural of “saxon” — a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

scenesnounUS /siːnz/

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

showverbUS /ʃoʊ/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

showingnounUS /ˈʃoʊɪŋ/

the display of a motion picture

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

sixthadjectiveUS /sɪksθ/

coming next after the fifth and just before the seventh in position

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

sixth-century

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

slays

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

strangelyadverbUS /ˈstreɪndʒli/

in a strange manner

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/

the environmental condition

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

SwordnounUS /sɔːrd/

a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

TablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

talesnounUS /teɪlz/

plural of “tale” — 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 Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

thirteennounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

toiledverbUS /tɔɪld/

past form of “toil” — work hard

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

UsurpationnounUS /ˌjuːsərˈpeɪʃən/

entry to another's property without right or permission

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

WarnounUS /wɔːr/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/

plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

WattsnounUS /wɑːts/

English poet and theologian (1674-1748)

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

wearverbUS /wer/

be dressed in

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading King Arthur and his knights fought, endured, and toiled in the sixth century, when the Saxons were overrunning Britain; but their achievements were not chronicled by Sir Thomas Malory until late in the fifteenth century.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Of scenes from the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table many lovely pictures have been painted, showing much diversity of figures and surroundings, some being definitely sixth-century British or Saxon, as in Blair Leighton's fine painting of the dead Elaine; others--for example, Watts' Sir Galahad--show knight and charger in fifteenth-century armour; while the warriors of Burne Jones wear strangely impracticable armour of some mystic period.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sir Lancelot attacked by Sir Agravaine, Sir Modred, and thirteen other Knights--He slays them all but Sir Modred--He leaves the Court--Sir Modred accuses him to the King--The Queen condemned to be burnt--Her rescue by Sir Lancelot and flight with him--The War between Sir Lancelot and the King--The Enmity of Sir Gawain--The Usurpation of Sir Modred--The Queen retires to a Nunnery--Sir Lancelot goes on Pilgrimage--The Battle of Barham Downs--Sir Bedivere and the Sword Excalibur--The Death of King Arthur

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Each of these painters was free to follow his own conception, putting the figures into whatever period most appealed to his imagination; for he was not illustrating the actual tales written by Sir Thomas Malory, otherwise he would have found himself face to face with a difficulty.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading Sir Thomas, as Froissart has done before him, described the habits of life, the dresses, weapons, and armour that his own eyes looked upon in the every-day scenes about him, regardless of the fact that almost every detail mentioned was something like a thousand years too late.

Chapter 1 of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights by James, Sir Knowles holds 19 sentences, grouped into 4 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights contain?

Chapter 1 holds 19 sentences of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights, unabridged, divided into 4 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights by James, Sir Knowles exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 19 sentences, grouped into 4 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights?

Work through the 4 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 4 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights

Common questions about reading The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights by James, Sir Knowles on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights?

Yes. All 3368 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #12753 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #12753, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights take to read?

About 280 minutes of reading across 674 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights section by section

How to work through The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 15 chapters of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Lancelot
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Attacked
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Agravaine
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Modred
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.