used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
aislesnounUS /aɪlz/
plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
benedictionnounUS /ˌbenəˈdɪkʃən/
the act of praying for divine protection
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
burnishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
censernounUS /ˈsensər/
a container for burning incense (especially one that is swung on a chain in a religious ritual)
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
chantverbUS /tʃænt/
recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
checkeredadjectiveUS /ˈtʃekərd/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
the first light of day
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
elfinadjectiveUS /ˈelfɪn/
suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
infernaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrnəl/
characteristic of or resembling Hell
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
jarringadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːrɪŋ/
making or causing a harsh and irritating sound
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
leaf-cowled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
markingnounUS /ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
a distinguishing symbol
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
monksnounUS /mʌŋks/
plural of “monk” — a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
moonlitadjectiveUS /ˈmuːnlɪt/
lighted by moonlight
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
motorcyclenounUS /ˈmoʊtərsaɪkəl/
a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
in motion
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
a brief written record
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
in the near future
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
racketnounUS /ˈrækɪt/
a loud and disturbing noise
From this reading Into the hush of the moonlit night came presently a jarring note, the infernal racket of a motorcycle.
raptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
rosariesnounUS /ˈroʊzəriz/
plural of “rosary” — a string of beads used in counting prayers (especially by Catholics)
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
solemnitynounUS /səˈlemnəti/
a trait of dignified seriousness
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
sylvannounUS /ˈsɪlvən/
a spirit that lives in or frequents the woods
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
a special situation
From this reading The sylvan mass of the night was a thing of infinite peace and mystery, of silence and solemnity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Like lines of solemn monks they stood listening raptly to the deep, full chant of the moving river.
arousing affect
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
precisely as stated
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
a Caucasian
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A late moon swung its golden censer above the water by invisible chains, marking checkered aisles of light in the silent wood, burnishing elfin rosaries of dew, touching with cool, white fingers of benediction the leaf-cowled heads of stately trees.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading AT THE GRAY OF DAWN It was very quiet in the wood by the river.
