used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
(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 So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
ArnounUS /ɑːr/
a colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth's atmosphere
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
Brusi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
Caithness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
complainedverbUS /kəmˈpleɪnd/
past form of “complain” — express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
DenmarknounUS /ˈdenmɑːrk/
a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe; consists of the mainland of Jutland and many islands between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
earlsnounUS /ɜːrlz/
plural of “earl” — a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
half-brothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
harriedadjectiveUS /ˈherid/
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
ill-kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
islesnounUS /aɪlz/
plural of “isle” — a small island
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
MainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
NorwaynounUS /ˈnɔːrweɪ/
a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula; achieved independence from Sweden in 1905
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
oftadverbUS /ɔːft/
many times at short intervals
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
Orkney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
Orkneys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
PeacocknounUS /ˈpiːkɑːk/
European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
ScotnounUS /skɑːt/
a native or inhabitant of Scotland
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
SunderlandnounUS /ˈsʌndərlənd/
a port and industrial city in northeastern England
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
thanenounUS /θeɪn/
a feudal lord or baron
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
thirdsnounUS /θɜːrdz/
plural of “third” — one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
Thorfinn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
THRALDOMnoun
the state of being under the control of another person
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
tributenounUS /ˈtrɪbjuːt/
something given or done as an expression of esteem
From this reading Now the Mainland of Orkney is an island, and Ar ruled its northern end, having charge of the tribute to the Earl and the keeping of order.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading HOW THOSE TWO CAME INTO THRALDOM Two earls ruled in the Orkneys: Brusi and Thorfinn, half-brothers.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
vikingsnounUS /ˈvaɪkɪŋz/
plural of “viking” — any of the Scandinavian people who raided the coasts of Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So Thorfinn lived on those lands, and Brusi guarded all the isles; but Thorfinn complained that the guard was ill-kept, since vikings harried oft in the isles, coming from Norway or Denmark.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of the islands, two thirds were under Brusi, the elder; but besides his third Thorfinn had inherited Caithness and Sunderland in Scotland from his grandfather the Scot king.
which person or people
From this reading There was a man named Ar the Peacock, who was a thane of Brusi the Earl and lived on the Mainland of Orkney.
