used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong!—Sang the bells, and the stars sparkled in the sky.
angel'snounUS /ˈeɪndʒəlz/
possessive form of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF "CITY SPARROWS," "THE MYSTERIOUS LOCKET," ETC.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong!—Sang the bells, and the stars sparkled in the sky.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
darkened by smoke
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading AUTHOR OF "CITY SPARROWS," "THE MYSTERIOUS LOCKET," ETC.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/
possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
especialadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF "CITY SPARROWS," "THE MYSTERIOUS LOCKET," ETC.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
glitternounUS /ˈɡlɪtər/
the quality of shining with a bright reflected light
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
coins made of gold
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong!—Sang the bells, and the stars sparkled in the sky.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
LOCKETnounUS /ˈlɑːkɪt/
a small ornamental case; usually contains a picture or a lock of hair and is worn on a necklace
From this reading AUTHOR OF "CITY SPARROWS," "THE MYSTERIOUS LOCKET," ETC.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
the light of the Moon
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
of an obscure nature
From this reading AUTHOR OF "CITY SPARROWS," "THE MYSTERIOUS LOCKET," ETC.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF "CITY SPARROWS," "THE MYSTERIOUS LOCKET," ETC.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
resting-places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong!—Sang the bells, and the stars sparkled in the sky.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
without speaking
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong!—Sang the bells, and the stars sparkled in the sky.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
with low volume
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
sparkledverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəld/
past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly
From this reading TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong!—Sang the bells, and the stars sparkled in the sky.
SPARROWSnounUS /ˈsperoʊz/
plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading AUTHOR OF "CITY SPARROWS," "THE MYSTERIOUS LOCKET," ETC.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong!—Sang the bells, and the stars sparkled in the sky.
steeplenounUS /ˈstiːpəl/
a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
not in physical motion
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
successive (without a break)
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHOR OF "CITY SPARROWS," "THE MYSTERIOUS LOCKET," ETC.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
up to a particular time
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TIRRA-ling-a-ting-ding-dong!—Sang the bells, and the stars sparkled in the sky.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
toilingadjectiveUS /ˈtɔɪlɪŋ/
doing arduous or unpleasant work
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
weathercocknoun
weathervane with a vane in the form of a rooster
From this reading The silver moonlight shone down softly on the streets of the city, making the weathercock on the blackened steeple glitter like gold, and throwing a tender radiance on the resting-places of the dead beneath.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The bright patches on walls and roof still crept on, till the light shone straight down into one of the windows, as if moon and stars had an especial errand in there.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading Silently the light stole along the street like the touch of an angel's wing, while the footsteps that sounded sharply on the smooth pavement told that rest comes late to many of earth's toiling ones in the busy town.
