used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
(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 I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
arrownounUS /ˈæroʊ/
a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
completely unclothed
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
bloodyadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdi/
having or covered with or accompanied by blood
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
deliciousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
DistillingverbUS /dɪˈstɪlɪŋ/
inflected form of “distil” — undergo condensation; change from a gaseous to a liquid state and fall in drops
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
Eftsoons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
an old word for “before”
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
divisible by two
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
the organ of sight
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
opinion or judgment
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
fadingnounUS /ˈfeɪdɪŋ/
weakening in force or intensity
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
favouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
glideverbUS /ɡlaɪd/
move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
highest in quality
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
hartnounUS /hɑːrt/
United States playwright who collaborated with George S. Kaufman (1904-1961)
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
impressiveness in scale or proportion
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
matchlessadjective
eminent beyond or above comparison
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Where Love did couch by summer toil suppressed, And sought his sleeps within so sweet a nest.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
piteousadjective
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
pluckverbUS /plʌk/
pull or pull out sharply
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
pompnounUS /pɑːmp/
cheap or pretentious or vain display
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
presagedverbUS /ˈpresɪdʒd/
past form of “presage” — indicate, as with a sign or an omen
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
privynounUS /ˈprɪvi/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
prodigalnounUS /ˈprɑːdɪɡəl/
a recklessly extravagant consumer
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
move upward
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
salamandernounUS /ˌsæləˈmændər/
any of various typically terrestrial amphibians that resemble lizards and that return to water only to breed
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
sleepsnounUS /sliːps/
plural of “sleep” — a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Where Love did couch by summer toil suppressed, And sought his sleeps within so sweet a nest.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Where Love did couch by summer toil suppressed, And sought his sleeps within so sweet a nest.
that is looked for
From this reading Where Love did couch by summer toil suppressed, And sought his sleeps within so sweet a nest.
stalkverbUS /stɔːk/
walk stiffly
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
stalksnounUS /stɔːks/
plural of “stalk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Where Love did couch by summer toil suppressed, And sought his sleeps within so sweet a nest.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
suppressedadjectiveUS /səˈprest/
kept from public knowledge by various means
From this reading Where Love did couch by summer toil suppressed, And sought his sleeps within so sweet a nest.
swanverbUS /swɑːn/
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
toilverbUS /tɔɪl/
work hard
From this reading Where Love did couch by summer toil suppressed, And sought his sleeps within so sweet a nest.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
waxedadjectiveUS /wækst/
treated with wax
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
at the time that
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
in or at the place that
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Each stalk whilst forth she stalks, to kiss her feet Is proud with pomp, and prodigal of sweet.
belonging to which person
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Where Love did couch by summer toil suppressed, And sought his sleeps within so sweet a nest.
wooedverbUS /wuːd/
past form of “woo” — seek someone's favor
From this reading Her fingers fair in favouring every flower That wooed their ivory for a wished touch, By chance--sweet chance!--upon a blessed hour Did pluck the flower where Love himself did couch.
people who are wounded
From this reading I first was turned into a wounded hart, That bare the bloody arrow in my side; Then to a swan that midst the waters glide, With piteous voice presaged my deadly smart; Eftsoons I waxed a faint and fading flower; Then was I made a fountain sudden dry, Distilling all my tears from troubled eye; Now am I salamander by his power, Living in flames, but hope ere long to be A voice, to talk my mistress' majesty.
XXXIX
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XXXIX My matchless mistress, whose delicious eyes Have power to perfect nature's privy wants, Even when the sun in greatest pomp did rise, With pretty tread did press the tender plants.
