used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
adornedadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrnd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
alighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
(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 They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
AUTHOR'SnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
possessive form of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
(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 At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
countenancesnounUS /ˈkaʊntənənsɪz/
plural of “countenance” — the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
without deviation
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
DISPOSITIONSnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “disposition” — your usual mood
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
DISQUIETUDES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
one or the other of two
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
fiddlesnounUS /ˈfɪdəlz/
plural of “fiddle” — bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
flutesnounUS /fluːts/
plural of “flute” — a high-pitched woodwind instrument; a slender tube closed at one end with finger holes on one end and an opening near the closed end across which the breath is blown
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
guitarsnounUS /ɡɪˈtɑːrz/
plural of “guitar” — a stringed instrument usually having six strings; played by strumming or plucking
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
harpsnounUS /hɑːrps/
plural of “harp” — a chordophone that has a triangular frame consisting of a sounding board and a pillar and a curved neck; the strings stretched between the neck and the soundbox are plucked with the fingers
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
harpsichords
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
HUMORS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
interwovenadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈwoʊvən/
linked or locked closely together as by dovetailing
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
LAPUTIANS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
moonsnounUS /muːnz/
plural of “moon” — the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
mortalsnounUS /ˈmɔːrtəlz/
plural of “mortal” — a human being
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
any competition
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
RECEPTIONnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
reclinedverbUS /rɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “recline” — move the upper body backwards and down
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
unusual or striking
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
sunsnounUS /sʌnz/
plural of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
confined on all sides
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
up to a particular time
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
trumpetsnounUS /ˈtrʌmpəts/
pitcher plant of southeastern United States having erect yellow trumpet-shaped pitchers with wide mouths and erect lids
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
not known
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Their outward garments were adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many more instruments of music unknown to us in Europe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
which person or people
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd of people, but those who stood nearest seemed to be of better quality.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading THE HUMORS AND DISPOSITIONS OF THE LAPUTIANS DESCRIBED—AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR LEARNING—OF THE KING AND HIS COURT—THE AUTHOR’S RECEPTION THERE—THE INHABITANTS SUBJECT TO FEARS AND DISQUIETUDES—AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOMEN.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.
zenithnounUS /ˈziːnəθ/
the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading Their heads were all reclined either to the right or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.
