used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
(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 "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
Allan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allan's face was turned full toward his companion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MAGGIE AND ANGUS.
ANGUSnounUS /ˈæŋɡəs/
Celtic god of love and beauty; patron deity of young men and women
From this reading MAGGIE AND ANGUS.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
bravelyadverbUS /ˈbreɪvli/
in a courageous manner
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
brighteningverbUS /ˈbraɪtənɪŋ/
-ing form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
rid of obstructions
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Allan's face was turned full toward his companion.
delightsnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/
plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
doest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
intense or sharp
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Allan's face was turned full toward his companion.
provide as food
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
set up or found
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Allan's face was turned full toward his companion.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
Heaven'snounUS /ˈhevənz/
possessive form of “heaven” — any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
herringnounUS /ˈherɪŋ/
valuable flesh of fatty fish from shallow waters of northern Atlantic or Pacific; usually salted or pickled
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
MAGGIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAGGIE AND ANGUS.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
ministersnounUS /ˈmɪnəstərz/
plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
subject to death
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
passionsnounUS /ˈpæʃənz/
plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
promontorynoun
a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
seawardadjectiveUS /ˈsiːwərd/
(of winds) coming from the land
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
without speaking
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
stirsnounUS /stɜːrz/
plural of “stir” — a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
stretchesnounUS /ˈstretʃəz/
plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
in or at that place or location
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
a special situation
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Allan's face was turned full toward his companion.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading They walked silently toward a little rocky promontory, and there sat down.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
at the time that
From this reading "What thing thou doest, bravely do; When Heaven's clear call hath found thee" "All thoughts, all passions, all delights Whatever stirs this mortal frame, All are but ministers of Love, And feed his sacred flame."
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was an exquisite evening toward the end of May; with a purple sunset brightening the seaward stretches, and the gathering herring fleet slowly drifting in the placid harbor.
