used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
authorshipnounUS /ˈɔːθərʃɪp/
the act of creating written works
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
barbaricadjectiveUS /bɑːrˈbærɪk/
without civilizing influences
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
a person who is in charge
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
GreecenounUS /ɡriːs/
a republic in southeastern Europe on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula; known for grapes and olives and olive oil
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
indispensableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbəl/
not to be dispensed with; essential
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
IthacanounUS /ˈɪθəkə/
a college town in central New York on Lake Cayuga
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
in the recent past
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
legendsnounUS /ˈledʒəndz/
plural of “legend” — a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
joined in matrimony
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
marvelsnounUS /ˈmɑːrvəlz/
plural of “marvel” — something that causes feelings of wonder
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
Menelausnoun
(Greek mythology) the king of Sparta at the time of the Trojan War; brother of Agamemnon; husband of Helen
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
mythsnounUS /mɪθs/
plural of “myth” — a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
absolutely essential
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
OdysseusnounUS /oʊˈdɪsiəs/
(Greek mythology) a famous mythical Greek hero; his return to Ithaca after the siege of Troy was described in the Odyssey
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
OdysseynounUS /ˈɑːdəsi/
a long wandering and eventful journey
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
and nothing more
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
the local environment
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
PenelopenounUS /pəˈneləpi/
(Greek mythology) the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity; for 10 years while Odysseus fought the Trojan War she resisted numerous suitors until Odysseus returned and killed them
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
PriamnounUS /ˈpraɪæm/
(Greek mythology) the last king of Troy; father of Hector and Paris and Cassandra
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
proofsnounUS /pruːfs/
plural of “proof” — any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
express in words
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
only a very short time before
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
sketchnounUS /sketʃ/
preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
a male human offspring
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
not in physical motion
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
Telemachus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
TrojannounUS /ˈtroʊdʒən/
a native of ancient Troy
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
TroynounUS /trɔɪ/
a system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones; based on a 12-ounce pound and an ounce of 480 grains
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
unconnectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnkəˈnektɪd/
not joined or linked together
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
unitynounUS /ˈjuːnəti/
an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We now go on to sketch the plot, which is a marvel of construction.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Odysseus was the King of Ithaca, a small and rugged island on the western coast of Greece.
at the time that
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading When he was but lately married to Penelope, and while his only son Telemachus was still an infant, the Trojan war began.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading It is scarcely necessary to say that the object of this war, as conceived of by the poets, was to win back Helen, the wife of Menelaus, from Paris, the son of Priam, King of Troy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
wovenadjectiveUS /ˈwoʊvən/
made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole
From this reading The extraordinary artistic skill with which legends and myths, originally unconnected with each other, are woven into the plot of the _Odyssey_, so that the marvels of savage and barbaric fancy become indispensable parts of an artistic whole, is one of the chief proofs of the unity of authorship of that poem.
