adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
BeginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
boughnounUS /baʊ/
any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
burstverbUS /bɜːrst/
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
carnivalnounUS /ˈkɑːrnəvəl/
a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
continualadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəl/
recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
criedverbUS /kraɪd/
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
dancenounUS /dæns/
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
delusionnounUS /dɪˈluːʒən/
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
evenounUS /iːv/
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
fantasynounUS /ˈfæntəsi/
imagination unrestricted by reality
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
floweryadjectiveUS /ˈflaʊəri/
of or relating to or suggestive of flowers
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
headsnounUS /hedz/
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
jestnounUS /dʒest/
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
LordnounUS /lɔːrd/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
lowestadjectiveUS /ˈloʊəst/
lowest in rank or importance
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
Maypole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
measurenounUS /ˈmeʒər/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
MerryadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
MountverbUS /maʊnt/
attach to a support
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
pealnounUS /piːl/
a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
priestnounUS /priːst/
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
reverendnounUS /ˈrevərənd/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
ringverbUS /rɪŋ/
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
riotousadjectiveUS /ˈraɪətəs/
produced or growing in extreme abundance
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
rosesnounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
routverbUS /raʊt/
cause to flee
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
sendverbUS /send/
cause to go somewhere
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
spokenadjectiveUS /ˈspoʊkən/
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
stavenounUS /steɪv/
(music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
sunsetnounUS /ˈsʌnset/
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
symbolnounUS /ˈsɪmbəl/
an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
thrownadjectiveUS /θroʊn/
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
titlesnounUS /ˈtaɪtəlz/
plural of “title” — a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
tricknounUS /trɪk/
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
trulyadverbUS /ˈtruːli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
twinedverbUS /twaɪnd/
past form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
unionnounUS /ˈjuːnjən/
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
uproarnounUS /ˈʌprɔːr/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
wedlocknounUS /ˈwedlɑːk/
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
woodsnounUS /wʊdz/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
wreathnounUS /riːθ/
flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
