used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
AbbotnounUS /ˈæbət/
the superior of an abbey of monks
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
(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 "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
AngelsnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəlz/
plural of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
architecturenounUS /ˈɑːrkətektʃər/
an architectural product or work
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Why these sublime representations on a pavement which must be covered with dust?"
BernardnounUS /bərˈnɑːrd/
French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
candelabras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
Cluny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/
entailing great loss or sacrifice
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Why these sublime representations on a pavement which must be covered with dust?"
discontentnounUS /dɪskənˈtent/
a longing for something better than the present situation
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
distractverbUS /dɪˈstrækt/
draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
remove the dust from
From this reading Why these sublime representations on a pavement which must be covered with dust?"
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
expressingverbUS /ɪkˈspresɪŋ/
-ing form of “express” — give expression to
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
a long fixed look
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
imagesnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/
plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Why these sublime representations on a pavement which must be covered with dust?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Why these sublime representations on a pavement which must be covered with dust?"
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
paintingsnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋz/
plural of “painting” — graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading Why these sublime representations on a pavement which must be covered with dust?"
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
representationsnounUS /ˌreprəzənˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “representation” — a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image
From this reading Why these sublime representations on a pavement which must be covered with dust?"
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
SaintsnounUS /seɪnts/
plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
spitverbUS /spɪt/
expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
studdedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdɪd/
dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading Why these sublime representations on a pavement which must be covered with dust?"
sumptuousadjectiveUS /ˈsʌmptʃwəs/
ostentatiously rich and superior in quality
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
the act of using
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
venerableadjectiveUS /ˈvenərəbəl/
impressive by reason of age
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
widthnounUS /wɪdθ/
the extent of something from side to side
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading "Why all these candelabras studded with precious stones, these costly paintings and works of art?
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The cathedral, which was the largest in the world, was a marvel of Roman architecture, and everything in it so magnificent, that Saint Bernard could not resist expressing his discontent.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "What use is there of this amazing height, this immense width and endless length, of these sumptuous ornaments, which attract the gaze of the faithful, but distract their attention?" he wrote to Peter, the venerable Abbot of Cluny.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Is it through honor to the Saints that you walk over their images and spit upon those of the Holy Angels?
