used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
anew
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
(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 But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
barbarousadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːrbərəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
cause to be bored
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
churchyardnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃjɑːrd/
the yard associated with a church
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
cloudyadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdi/
lacking definite form or limits
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
cormorantnounUS /ˈkɔːrmərənt/
large voracious dark-colored long-necked seabird with a distensible pouch for holding fish; used in Asia to catch fish
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
cross-bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
divergingadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrdʒɪŋ/
tending to move apart in different directions
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
the organ of sight
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
gildedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪldɪd/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
death of a person
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
hearsenounUS /hɜːrs/
a vehicle for carrying a coffin to a church or a cemetery; formerly drawn by horses but now usually a motor vehicle
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
ill-conceivedadjective
poorly conceived or thought out
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
engage in
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
mutesnounUS /mjuːts/
plural of “mute” — a deaf person who is unable to speak
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
not any; not one
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
noddingadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
obsceneadjectiveUS /ɑːbˈsiːn/
designed to incite to indecency or lust
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
on one occasion
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
panelsnounUS /ˈpænəlz/
plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
pedestriansnounUS /pəˈdestriənz/
plural of “pedestrian” — a person who travels by foot
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
plumesnounUS /pluːmz/
plural of “plume” — anything that resembles a feather in shape or lightness
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
ResurrectionnounUS /ˌrezərˈekʃən/
(New Testament) the rising of Christ on the third day after the Crucifixion
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
retracedverbUS /riˈtreɪst/
past form of “retrace” — to go back over again
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
skullsnounUS /skʌlz/
plural of “skull” — the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
the rays of the sun
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
trotverbUS /trɑːt/
run at a moderately swift pace
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
undertakers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading But as they drew near the place, the slow trot subsided into a slow walk once more.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By this time the funeral was approaching the churchyard at a more rapid pace; for the pedestrians had dropped away one by one, on diverging roads, or had stopped and retraced their steps.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
at the time that
From this reading And, again, when they stopped at the gate of the churchyard, they were the hands of friends and neighbours, and not those of cormorant undertakers and obscene mutes, that bore the dead man to his grave.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To an English eye the whole mode would have appeared barbarous.
but in spite of that
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
be the cause or source of
From this reading But if the carved and gilded skulls and cross-bones on the hearse were ill-conceived, at least there were no awful nodding plumes to make death hideous with yet more of cloudy darkness; and one of the panels showed, in all the sunshine that golden rays could yield, the Resurrection of the Lord--the victory over the grave.
