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plain

Verb
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An archaic verb meaning to complain, lament, or express grief, frequently appearing in classical elegies and mournful verse.

Detailed Definition
In older English, "plain" can mean to lament, complain, or make a sorrowful complaint. Wyatt uses it in a way that differs from the modern adjective "plain" meaning simple or clear.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Without eyen I see, and without tongue I plain” uses plain as a verb meaning lament; Spenser and other early poets use plain for audible grief; “The widow plains beside the winter gate,” preserves the archaic sense; Do not confuse this verb with plain meaning simple or an open field
Additional Notes
In "without tongue I plain," the verb is used in an archaic sense meaning "complain," which is less familiar today.; Found in the poem, I Find No Peace by Sir Thomas Wyatt
Also Known As
clear distinct evident unambiguous plained
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