used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
(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 We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading WHO WERE THE “ANCIENT BRITONS”?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
bonfiresnounUS /ˈbɑːnfaɪərz/
plural of “bonfire” — a large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
BRITONSnounUS /ˈbrɪtənz/
plural of “briton” — a native or inhabitant of Great Britain
From this reading WHO WERE THE “ANCIENT BRITONS”?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
chariotsnounUS /ˈtʃeriəts/
plural of “chariot” — a light four-wheel horse-drawn ceremonial carriage
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
convenientadjectiveUS /kənˈviːnjənt/
suited to your comfort or purpose or needs
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
coracles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
DruidsnounUS /ˈdruːɪdz/
plural of “druid” — a pre-Christian priest among the Celts of ancient Gaul and Britain and Ireland
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
innocentlyadverbUS /ˈɪnəsəntli/
in a not unlawful manner
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
legionsnounUS /ˈliːdʒənz/
plural of “legion” — archaic terms for army
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
mistletoenounUS /ˈmɪsəltoʊ/
American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
mythsnounUS /mɪθs/
plural of “myth” — a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
paddledverbUS /ˈpædəld/
past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
coated with paint
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
recollectedverbUS /ˌrekəˈlektɪd/
past form of “recollect” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
recountverbUS /rɪˈkaʊnt/
narrate or give a detailed account of
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
robesnounUS /roʊbz/
plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
RomansnounUS /ˈroʊmənz/
a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
cut with a saw
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
school-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
scythed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
sicklenounUS /ˈsɪkəl/
an edge tool for cutting grass or crops; has a curved blade and a short handle
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHO WERE THE “ANCIENT BRITONS”?
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading We have, all of us, vague ideas of Ancient Britons, recollected, doubtless, from our school-books.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
WEREauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WHO WERE THE “ANCIENT BRITONS”?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
a Caucasian
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
white-bearded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
which person or people
From this reading WHO WERE THE “ANCIENT BRITONS”?
wicker-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their Druids, white-bearded and wearing long, white robes, cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle at the time of the full moon, or, less innocently employed, made bonfires of human beings shut up in gigantic figures of wicker-work.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But, before proceeding to recount the myths of the “Ancient Britons”, it will be well to decide what people, exactly, we mean by that loose but convenient phrase.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
woadnoun
a blue dyestuff obtained from the woad plant
From this reading There we saw their pictures as, painted with woad, they paddled coracles, or drove scythed chariots through legions of astonished Romans.
