1
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
2
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
3
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
Agenor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
Amphion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
ascribedverbUS /əˈskraɪbd/
past form of “ascribe” — attribute or credit to
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Unable to find her he settled at Thebes, and built the city.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Unable to find her he settled at Thebes, and built the city.
CadmusnounUS /ˈkædməs/
(Greek mythology) the brother of Europa and traditional founder of Thebes in Boeotia
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Unable to find her he settled at Thebes, and built the city.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
DireadjectiveUS /daɪr/
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
dragonnounUS /ˈdræɡən/
a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
EuropanounUS /jʊˈroʊpə/
the 4th largest of Jupiter's satellites; covered with a smooth shell of frozen water
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Unable to find her he settled at Thebes, and built the city.
a printed note placed below the text on a printed page
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
FOOTNOTESnounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊts/
plural of “footnote” — a printed note placed below the text on a printed page
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Unable to find her he settled at Thebes, and built the city.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
ill-omenedadjective
marked by or promising bad fortune
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
JupiternounUS /ˈdʒuːpətər/
the largest planet and the 5th from the sun; has many satellites and is one of the brightest objects in the night sky
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
LatinadjectiveUS /ˈlætən/
of or relating to the ancient Latins or the Latin language
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
legendnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
the force of workers available
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
reputedverbUS /rɪˈpjuːtɪd/
past form of “repute” — look on as or consider
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
try to get or reach
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Unable to find her he settled at Thebes, and built the city.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
slewverbUS /sluː/
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: "Dire," in the Latin sense of ill-omened.]
Thebans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
ThebesnounUS /θiːbz/
an ancient Egyptian city on the Nile River that flourished from the 22nd century BC to the 18th century BC; today the archeological remains include many splendid temples and tombs
From this reading Unable to find her he settled at Thebes, and built the city.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Unable to find her he settled at Thebes, and built the city.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
(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 He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
at the time that
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
which person or people
From this reading He slew the dragon, which guarded a neighbouring well, and a portion of the armed men, who sprung up from its teeth, were reputed to be the ancestors of the Thebans.]
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading [Footnote 2: When Jupiter had carried off Europa, her father, Agenor, sent her brother Cadmus to seek her, and commanded him not to return without his sister.
wonder-working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Footnote 3: A second legend ascribed the building of the city to the wonder-working music of Amphion, which caused the stones to pile themselves together.
