used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
departingverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
echoverbUS /ˈekoʊ/
to say again or imitate
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
at any time
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
fadesnounUS /feɪdz/
plural of “fade” — a golf shot that curves to the right for a right-handed golfer
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading This, however, may be our own fault.
fineradjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnər/
(comparative of “fine”) greater in quality or excellence
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
flutterverbUS /ˈflʌtər/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading This, however, may be our own fault.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
a single distinct event
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
Joy'snounUS /dʒɔɪz/
possessive form of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
joysnounUS /dʒɔɪz/
plural of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
immediately past
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
a unit of instruction
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
hear with intention
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
take in marriage
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading This, however, may be our own fault.
subject to death
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
Neil's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
not any; not one
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading This, however, may be our own fault.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading This, however, may be our own fault.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
raptadjectiveUS /ræpt/
feeling great rapture or delight
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
recallingverbUS /rɪˈkɔːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
relateverbUS /rɪˈleɪt/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
try to get or reach
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
shyest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
singsverbUS /sɪŋz/
third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
in the near future
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
sorrowsnounUS /ˈsɑːroʊz/
plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE The tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
a vivid mental image
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading And if it is not tightly clasped, and well guarded, it soon fades away, especially if doubt or question come near it.
at the time that
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The heart, which is never weary of recalling its sorrows, seems to have no echo for its finer joys.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading The little enthusiasm incident to Neil's success did not last long, for Joy's the shyest bird, Mortal ever heard, Listen rapt and silent when he sings; Do not seek to see, Less the vision be But a flutter of departing wings.
