Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

expected hopefully

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

for a short time

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

completely happy and contented

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

of short duration or distance

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

make calm or still

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

genus of much-branched treelike or shrubby cacti with pronounced ribs and rounded needlelike spines and nocturnal flowers usually white

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

extravagantly or foolishly loving and indulgent

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

expel from a country

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

lose validity

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

plural of “fade” — a golf shot that curves to the right for a right-handed golfer

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

put in effect

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

plural of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

in a softened tone

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

for more time

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

a believer in or follower of Islam

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

not any; not one

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

and nothing more

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

fixed or established especially by order or command

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

so strong as to be irresistible

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

promise solemnly and formally

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

an established ceremony prescribed by a religion

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

plural of “sink” — plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So shall my blissful flame of life expire, So fail from light, and love, and life's desire.

with low volume

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

not in physical motion

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading So pondered Atma in that strange calm that follows an overwhelming stroke of calamity.

abundantly filled with especially living things

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

interlace by or as if by weaving

From this reading How fair is Night, how hushed the scene, Earth's teeming hosts are here no longer seen, Only a chosen few, A happy few, The blooming cereus and the blessed dew Ordained have been To weave beneath the solemn moon and still, Some holy rite, some mystic pledge fulfil.

in or at the place that

From this reading It was midnight, and the moon shone on the old Moslem Burial Place, where he awaited the coming of Bertram.

during the time that

From this reading That loveliest star fades from my sight, Leaves the fond presence of the doting night, And softly sinks awhile, A little while, Its radiance into brief exile From mourning night.