used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
(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 Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
aridadjectiveUS /ˈærəd/
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
see with attention
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
the two together, not just one
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
brevitynounUS /ˈbrevəti/
the use of brief expressions
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
of short duration or distance
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
collied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
conveyverbUS /kənˈveɪ/
(of information) make known; pass on
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The jaws of darkness do devour it up."
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
devourverbUS /dɪˈvaʊər/
destroy completely
From this reading The jaws of darkness do devour it up."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The jaws of darkness do devour it up."
take in liquids
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
an old word for “before”
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
fabledadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪbəld/
celebrated in fable or legend
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
floatverbUS /floʊt/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
jawsnounUS /dʒɔːz/
plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth
From this reading The jaws of darkness do devour it up."
immediately past
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
go away from a place
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
and nothing more
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
PoetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
express in words
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
in the near future
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
spleennounUS /spliːn/
a large dark-red oval organ on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; produces cells involved in immune responses
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On, those days of happiness, how soon they come to an end!
tribesnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
unfoldsverbUS /ənˈfoʊldz/
third-person singular of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The jaws of darkness do devour it up."
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
precisely as stated
From this reading Enjoyment is the most brief of all things, for its very nature is to destroy time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
at the time that
From this reading Poets and philosophers have attempted in vain to convey to the mind by figures and by argument the brevity of enjoyment, and the great master only came near the truth when he declared it was-- "Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say--Behold!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Like the fabled monster of one of the Indian tribes--we drink up the waters in which we float, and leave ourselves at last on a dry and arid shore.
