Chapter I

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

produce or yield flowers

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

brought into existence

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

an old word for “before”

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

so thin as to transmit light

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading _Philip._ ’Tis so; and so is life; and so is youth; Foam, frost, and dew; what would you?

destroyed or killed

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

shoot down, of birds

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

characteristic of maturity

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

not one thing; not anything

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

inconsequential conversation

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

having patterns (especially colorful patterns)

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading _Philip._ ’Tis so; and so is life; and so is youth; Foam, frost, and dew; what would you?

one of the twelve Apostles (first century)

From this reading _Simon._ ...

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading _Philip._ ’Tis so; and so is life; and so is youth; Foam, frost, and dew; what would you?

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

reflect brightly

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading AUTHOR OF ‘MADONNA MARY,’ ‘FOR LOVE AND LIFE,’ ‘SQUIRE ARDEN,’ ‘MAY,’ ETC.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

informal terms for clothing

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading _Philip._ ’Tis so; and so is life; and so is youth; Foam, frost, and dew; what would you?

possessive form of “virgin” — a person who has never had sex

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

plural of “virgin” — a person who has never had sex

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _Philip._ ’Tis so; and so is life; and so is youth; Foam, frost, and dew; what would you?

in the company of; together with

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading _Philip._ ’Tis so; and so is life; and so is youth; Foam, frost, and dew; what would you?

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading Maidens call That filmy gossamer the Virgin’s threads, And virgins’ lives are woven of threads like those.’

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _Philip._ ’Tis so; and so is life; and so is youth; Foam, frost, and dew; what would you?

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘Your tale, my friend, Is made from nothing, and of nothings spun-- Foam on the ocean, hoar-frost on the grass, The gossamer threads that sparkle in the sun Patterned with morning dew--things that are born And die, are come and gone, blossom and fade Ere day mature has drawn one sober breath.’

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading _Philip._ ’Tis so; and so is life; and so is youth; Foam, frost, and dew; what would you?