used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
abandonmentnounUS /əˈbændənmənt/
the act of giving something up
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
(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 The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We pass over an interval of some months.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
easelnounUS /ˈiːzəl/
an upright tripod for displaying something (usually an artist's canvas)
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading He was employed on a nymph,--the Nymph Galatea.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading THE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.
set up or found
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
GalateanounUS /ˌɡæləˈtiːə/
(Greek mythology) a maiden who was first a sculpture created by Pygmalion and was brought to life by Aphrodite in answer to Pygmalion's prayers
From this reading He was employed on a nymph,--the Nymph Galatea.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
gnarledadjectiveUS /nɑːrld/
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
gushingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʌʃɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was employed on a nymph,--the Nymph Galatea.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading We pass over an interval of some months.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
modelnounUS /ˈmɑːdəl/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading We pass over an interval of some months.
nymphnounUS /nɪmf/
(classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden
From this reading He was employed on a nymph,--the Nymph Galatea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We pass over an interval of some months.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was employed on a nymph,--the Nymph Galatea.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading We pass over an interval of some months.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
go across or through
From this reading We pass over an interval of some months.
Polyphemus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
RECONCILIATIONnounUS /ˌrekənsɪliˈeɪʃən/
the reestablishing of cordial relations
From this reading THE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
Salvator
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
sleeking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading We pass over an interval of some months.
a male human offspring
From this reading THE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
suavitynoun
the quality of being bland and gracious or ingratiating in manner
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
tressesnounUS /ˈtresɪz/
plural of “tress” — a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
uglinessnounUS /ˈʌɡlinəs/
qualities of appearance that do not give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was employed on a nymph,--the Nymph Galatea.
waterfallsnounUS /ˈwɔːtərfɔːlz/
plural of “waterfall” — a steep descent of the water of a river
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We pass over an interval of some months.
belonging to which person
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The subject had been taken before by Salvator, whose genius found all its elements in the wild rocks, gnarled, fantastic trees, and gushing waterfalls of the landscape; in the huge ugliness of Polyphemus the lover; in the grace and suavity and unconscious abandonment of the nymph, sleeking her tresses dripping from the bath.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A painter stood at work at the easel, his human model before him.
