used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
(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 All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
ancestrynounUS /ˈænsestri/
the descendants of one individual
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
confined by bonds
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
chantedadjectiveUS /ˈtʃæntɪd/
sung or uttered rhythmically in a monotone
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
choirnounUS /ˈkwaɪər/
a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
choralnounUS /ˈkɔːrəl/
a stately Protestant (especially Lutheran) hymn tune
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
crownedadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
elatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈleɪtəd/
exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
filletnounUS /fəˈleɪ/
a boneless steak cut from the tenderloin of beef
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
icedverbUS /aɪst/
past form of “ice” — decorate with frosting
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
knucklesnounUS /ˈnʌkəlz/
(used in the plural) a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
longsverbUS /lɔːŋz/
third-person singular of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
MagdalennounUS /ˈmæɡdələn/
a reformed prostitute
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading MAY MORN.
May-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
a particular point in time
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
MORNnounUS /mɔːrn/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading MAY MORN.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
mouthsnounUS /maʊðz/
plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
on one occasion
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
shapelyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpli/
having a well-proportioned and pleasing shape
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
slidenounUS /slaɪd/
a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
precisely as stated
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
at the time that
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
a Caucasian
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading All are bound to keep together for the radiant moment; all are a little elated at their height above all other boys; all have a strong idea that the sun, when he comes, will be full of them; and every one of them longs to be back beneath his mother's blankets.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the morn when the tall and shapely tower of Magdalen is crowned with a fillet of shining white, awaiting the first step of sunrise.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It is a tradition with this choir (handed, or chanted, down from very ancient choral ancestry) that the sun never rises on May-day without iced dew to glance upon.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Once a year, for generations, this has been the sign of it--eager eyes, and gaping mouths, little knuckles blue with cold, and clumsy little feet inclined to slide upon the slippery lead.
