used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
how long something has existed
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
billowingadjectiveUS /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
breathsnounUS /breθs/
plural of “breath” — the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
cloud-kerchiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
crescentnounUS /ˈkresənt/
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
dimmedadjectiveUS /dɪmd/
made dim or less bright
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
eke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Safely out on the terrace in the moonlight!
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
lendverbUS /lend/
bestow a quality on
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
lesseningnounUS /ˈlesənɪŋ/
a change downward
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
lesseradjectiveUS /ˈlesər/
of less size or importance
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
Methought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
milady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
the light of the Moon
From this reading Safely out on the terrace in the moonlight!
night-visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
not one, and not any
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Safely out on the terrace in the moonlight!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Safely out on the terrace in the moonlight!
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
over-flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
overpoweringadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈpaʊrɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
Peggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
puritynounUS /ˈpjʊrəti/
being undiluted or unmixed with extraneous material
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Safely out on the terrace in the moonlight!
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading Safely out on the terrace in the moonlight!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Peggy stands drawing deep breaths, staring up at them with her head thrown back, as they shine down upon her in their overwhelming, overpowering distance, and purity and age.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
used to ask for information about something
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
at the time that
From this reading Not, it is true, a great wash of moonlight such as went billowing over the earth when she paid her former night-visit to milady's garden; but such small radiance as a lessening crescent, now and then dimmed by over-flung cloud-kerchiefs, can lend.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading 'Whilst she was here Methought the beams of light that did appear Were shot from her; methought the moon gave none But what it had from her.'
in the company of; together with
From this reading The stars, indeed, seeing their lady faint and fail, eke her out with their lesser lights.
