used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
after-glow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey of twilight was paling the gold of the after-glow.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
baptismaladjectiveUS /bæpˈtɪzməl/
of or relating to baptism
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
benedictionnounUS /ˌbenəˈdɪkʃən/
the act of praying for divine protection
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
brimmedverbUS /brɪmd/
inflected form of “brim” — be completely full
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
brinknounUS /brɪŋk/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
a young person of either sex
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
chrismnoun
a consecrated ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
dilating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
having the place or position changed
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
let fall to the ground
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
echoverbUS /ˈekoʊ/
to say again or imitate
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
far-away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
fontnounUS /fɑːnt/
a specific size and style of type within a type family
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
brought together in one place
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
coins made of gold
From this reading The grey of twilight was paling the gold of the after-glow.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The grey of twilight was paling the gold of the after-glow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
heart-beats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
hushedadjectiveUS /hʌʃt/
in a softened tone
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
intensifiedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪd/
made more intense
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
lowingverbUS /ˈloʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “low” — make a low noise, characteristic of bovines
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The grey of twilight was paling the gold of the after-glow.
palingnoun
a fence made of upright pickets
From this reading The grey of twilight was paling the gold of the after-glow.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
in the near future
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
raptured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
on the contrary
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
reverentadjectiveUS /ˈrevərənt/
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
English poet (1554-1586)
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The echo of each step gathered in his heart, dilating it with happiness as an already full glass is brimmed above the brink by drop after drop.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The grey of twilight was paling the gold of the after-glow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
trystnounUS /trɪst/
a date; usually with a member of the opposite sex
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The grey of twilight was paling the gold of the after-glow.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A quiet hush had fallen upon the earth—rather intensified than disturbed by the lowing of far-away cattle.
Vashti
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sidney Martin waited in the porch for Vashti to keep her tryst, and presently he heard her footsteps.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The grey of twilight was paling the gold of the after-glow.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the quiet of raptured anticipation, as if great hands held the earth up to the baptismal font of the heavens to receive the chrism of night; and the earth, like a wise and reverent child, waited with hushed heart-beats for the benediction.
