used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
adaptedadjectiveUS /əˈdæptɪd/
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Myth and history have both busied themselves with guesses at its origin.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Myth and history have both busied themselves with guesses at its origin.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading Myth and history have both busied themselves with guesses at its origin.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
ceremoniesnounUS /ˈserəmoʊniz/
plural of “ceremony” — a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
ChristianizedverbUS /ˈkrɪstʃənaɪzd/
past form of “christianize” — adapt in the name of Christianity
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
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 It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
English-speakingadjective
able to communicate in English
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading The Christmas tree is no exception to this rule.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
GermanynounUS /ˈdʒɜːrməni/
a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
guessesnounUS /ˈɡesəz/
plural of “guess” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Myth and history have both busied themselves with guesses at its origin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Myth and history have both busied themselves with guesses at its origin.
HollandnounUS /ˈhɑːlənd/
a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Christmas tree is no exception to this rule.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
LEGENDnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
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 THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
MythnounUS /mɪθ/
a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading Myth and history have both busied themselves with guesses at its origin.
not any; not one
From this reading The Christmas tree is no exception to this rule.
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 It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
pagannounUS /ˈpeɪɡən/
a person who does not acknowledge your god
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
peoplesnounUS /ˈpiːpəlz/
the human beings of a particular nation or community or ethnic group
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
an amount of time
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading The Christmas tree is no exception to this rule.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
ScandinaviansnounUS /ˌskændɪˈneɪviənz/
plural of “scandinavian” — an inhabitant of Scandinavia
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
SwedennounUS /ˈswiːdən/
a Scandinavian kingdom in the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
Teutons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Myth and history have both busied themselves with guesses at its origin.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Christmas tree is no exception to this rule.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN LEGEND We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Myth and history have both busied themselves with guesses at its origin.
