used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
for the reason that
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
a young person of either sex
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
convalescencenounUS /ˌkɑːnvəˈlesəns/
gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
at any time
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
first-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
growsverbUS /ɡroʊz/
third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
hackneyedadjectiveUS /ˈhæknid/
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
loveliest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
and nothing more
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
go across or through
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
by chance
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
poeticadjectiveUS /poʊˈetɪk/
of or relating to poetry
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
rareradjectiveUS /ˈrerər/
comparative of “rare” — not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
ravedverbUS /reɪvd/
past form of “rave” — participate in an all-night techno dance party
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
Rothesay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
sculptornounUS /ˈskʌlptər/
an artist who creates sculptures
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
soul's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
thereupon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
tiresnounUS /ˈtaɪərz/
plural of “tire” — hoop that covers a wheel
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Would there were more of such!--that the idea of physical beauty might pass into the heart through the eyes, and bring with it the ideal of the soul's perfection, which our senses can only thus receive.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She furnished that rare sight--and one that is becoming rarer as the world grows older--an exquisitely beautiful woman.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading And perhaps because it is so lovely, and is ever renewed in its beauty, the world never tires of dwelling thereupon.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Any poet, painter, or sculptor, would certainly have raved about Mrs. Rothesay, had he seen her in the days of convalescence, sitting at the window with her baby on her knee.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There is not a more hackneyed subject for poetic enthusiasm than that sight--perhaps the loveliest in nature--a young mother with her first-born child.
