used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
ancientsnounUS /ˈeɪntʃənts/
people who lived in times long past (especially during the historical period before the fall of the Roman Empire in western Europe)
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
move towards
From this reading The nearer approach of Eros naturally brought his torch in closer proximity.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
blessingnounUS /ˈblesɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
brilliancynoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The nearer approach of Eros naturally brought his torch in closer proximity.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The nearer approach of Eros naturally brought his torch in closer proximity.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
crystallizeverbUS /ˈkrɪstəlaɪz/
cause to take on a definite and clear shape
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
ErosnounUS /ˈɪrɑːs/
(Greek mythology) god of love; son of Aphrodite; identified with Roman Cupid
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
set up or found
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Maternal love and the responsive trust and veneration of Youth.
MadonnanounUS /məˈdɑːnə/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
MaternaladjectiveUS /məˈtɜːrnəl/
characteristic of a mother
From this reading Maternal love and the responsive trust and veneration of Youth.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
as might be expected
From this reading The nearer approach of Eros naturally brought his torch in closer proximity.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The nearer approach of Eros naturally brought his torch in closer proximity.
not any; not one
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
OlympianadjectiveUS /oʊˈlɪmpiən/
of the region of Olympia in Greece or its inhabitants
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
Phidiasnoun
ancient Greek sculptor (circa 500-432 BC)
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
Praxitelesnoun
ancient Greek sculptor (circa 370-330 BC)
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
proximitynounUS /prɑːkˈsɪməti/
the property of being close together
From this reading The nearer approach of Eros naturally brought his torch in closer proximity.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
responsiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈspɑːnsɪv/
containing or using responses; alternating
From this reading Maternal love and the responsive trust and veneration of Youth.
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
a male human offspring
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Eros knelt before her as if to receive her blessing.
torchnounUS /tɔːrtʃ/
a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading The nearer approach of Eros naturally brought his torch in closer proximity.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Maternal love and the responsive trust and veneration of Youth.
unusedadjectiveUS /əˈnjuːzd/
not yet used or soiled
From this reading Its brilliancy became dazzling, in fact blinding to eyes long since unused to its power.
venerationnounUS /ˌvenərˈeɪʃən/
a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
From this reading Maternal love and the responsive trust and veneration of Youth.
Verilyadverb
in truth; certainly
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
worshipedverbUS /ˈwɜːrʃɪpt/
past form of “worship” — love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading Verily, no Phidias, or Praxiteles, among the ancients, could have worshiped by means of the sacred art of their day, and found a better subject to crystallize in form for the good of future generations, than this, an Olympian Madonna, a son at his mother’s knee.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Maternal love and the responsive trust and veneration of Youth.
