adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
alarmnounUS /əˈlɑːrm/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
ArabianounUS /əˈreɪbiə/
a peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf; strategically important for its oil resources
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
ARCHAICadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈkeɪɪk/
so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
archesnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃəz/
plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
babiesnounUS /ˈbeɪbiz/
plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What can it be?
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
bleatings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading What can it be?
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
CHRISTIANITYnounUS /ˌkrɪstʃiˈænɪti/
a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
clinkingadjective
like the light sharp ringing sound of glasses being tapped
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
criesnounUS /kraɪz/
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
cymbalsnounUS /ˈsɪmbəlz/
plural of “cymbal” — a percussion instrument consisting of a concave brass disk; makes a loud crashing sound when hit with a drumstick or when two are struck together
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
dennounUS /den/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
descendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
DimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
distressnounUS /dɪˈstres/
psychological suffering
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/
move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
holenounUS /hoʊl/
an opening into or through something
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
horrornounUS /ˈhɔːrər/
intense and profound fear
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
howlverbUS /haʊl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
incensenounUS /ˌɪnˈsens/
a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What can it be?
lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/
set afire or burning
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
massnounUS /mæs/
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
midstnounUS /mɪdst/
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
mitesnounUS /maɪts/
plural of “mite” — a slight but appreciable amount
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
new-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
onesnounUS /wʌnz/
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
overpoweringadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈpaʊrɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
phantomsnounUS /ˈfæntəmz/
plural of “phantom” — a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
sirsnounUS /sɜːrrz/
plural of “sir” — term of address for a man
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
slenderadjectiveUS /ˈslendər/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
sorcerynounUS /ˈsɔːrsəri/
the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
stonenounUS /stoʊn/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
suffocatingadjectiveUS /ˈsʌfəkeɪtɪŋ/
causing difficulty in breathing especially through lack of fresh air and presence of heat
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
tapersnounUS /ˈteɪpərz/
plural of “taper” — a convex shape that narrows toward a point
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
tinyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪni/
very small
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
unawaresadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈwerz/
without forethought or plan; inadvertently
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
veiledadjectiveUS /veɪld/
having or as if having a veil or concealing cover
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
voicesnounUS /ˈvɔɪsəz/
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
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 ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Had we entered it unawares we might have thought it a den of wicked sorcery, an underground cavern for the black mass.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What can it be?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
WhynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why have they descended into this dark hole, these little ones, who howl in the midst of the smoke, held by these phantoms in mourning?
wickedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪkəd/
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ARCHAIC CHRISTIANITY Dimly lighted by the flames of a few poor slender tapers which flicker against the walls in stone arches, a dense crowd of human figures veiled in black, in a place overpowering and suffocating--underground, no doubt--which is filled with the perfume of the incense of Arabia; and a noise of almost wicked movement, which sirs us to alarm and even horror: bleatings of new-born babies, cries of distress of tiny mites whose voices are drowned, as if on purpose, by a clinking of cymbals.
