used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
adornmentnounUS /əˈdɔːrnmənt/
a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
(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 All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE CATHEDRAL AT SEVILLE.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
candlesticksnounUS /ˈkændəlstɪks/
plural of “candlestick” — a holder with sockets for candles
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
CATHEDRALnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading THE CATHEDRAL AT SEVILLE.
censers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
crowdsnounUS /kraʊdz/
plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
garlanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
coins made of gold
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
jewelsnounUS /ˈdʒuːəlz/
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading "The cathedral was magnificent.
noondaynoun
the middle of the day
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
propertiesnounUS /ˈprɑːpərtiz/
plural of “property” — something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
pungentadjectiveUS /ˈpʌndʒənt/
strong and sharp
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
Reliquaires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
possessing material wealth
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
SEVILLEnounUS /səˈvɪl/
a city in southwestern Spain; a major port and cultural center; the capital of bullfighting in Spain
From this reading THE CATHEDRAL AT SEVILLE.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
snow-whiteadjective
of the white color of snow
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
sweetnessnounUS /ˈswiːtnəs/
the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
tapersnounUS /ˈteɪpərz/
plural of “taper” — a convex shape that narrows toward a point
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CATHEDRAL AT SEVILLE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Reliquaires flaming with jewels, flashed out through all this noonday splendor, and two enormous tapers, six feet high, stood like sentinels on each side the altar.
velvets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All its rich properties in velvets, silver and gold, had been brought forth for its adornment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The cathedral was magnificent.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
whitenessnounUS /ˈwaɪtnəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The altar was one blaze of light--tapers of snow-white wax rose in crowds from golden candlesticks, garlanded with flowers which sent their sweetness through the pungent smoke of the censers, and clothed the altar with a sacred whiteness.
