Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
absolved
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From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
age
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From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
Ages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
attention
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From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
attractiveness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
beauty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
birth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
century
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
chivalry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
cloister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
consider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
contract
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
defects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
development
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
fifteenth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
grade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I. WILLIAMS.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
ill-favoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
irrespective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
lack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
lay-sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
Middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
misfortune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
nun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
OfprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
open-spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
refuge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
religion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
rude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
Seek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
slack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
surroundings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
tongues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
unmarried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
WILLIAMS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I. WILLIAMS.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.
