1817
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Whenever Shelley could, he composed in the open air.
AmidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LIFE AT MARLOW, AND JOURNEY TO ITALY.
anguishnounUS /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
extreme mental distress
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LIFE AT MARLOW, AND JOURNEY TO ITALY.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
beech-groves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
Bisham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
boatnounUS /boʊt/
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
borrowverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊ/
get temporarily
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
ChancerynounUS /ˈtʃænsəri/
a court with jurisdiction in equity
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
composedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpoʊzd/
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Whenever Shelley could, he composed in the open air.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Whenever Shelley could, he composed in the open air.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
Cythna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
distinguishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
distractionsnounUS /dɪˈstrækʃənz/
plural of “distraction” — mental turmoil
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Six months were spent in this task.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
ITALYnounUS /ˈɪtəli/
a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD
From this reading LIFE AT MARLOW, AND JOURNEY TO ITALY.
JOURNEYverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading LIFE AT MARLOW, AND JOURNEY TO ITALY.
Laon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
LIFEnounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading LIFE AT MARLOW, AND JOURNEY TO ITALY.
MARLOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIFE AT MARLOW, AND JOURNEY TO ITALY.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Six months were spent in this task.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Whenever Shelley could, he composed in the open air.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
poemnounUS /ˈpoʊəm/
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
poignantadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪnjənt/
arousing affect
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
ShelleynounUS /ˈʃeli/
English writer who created Frankenstein's monster and married Percy Bysshe Shelley (1797-1851)
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
Shelley'snounUS /ˈʃeliz/
possessive form of “shelley” — English writer who created Frankenstein's monster and married Percy Bysshe Shelley (1797-1851)
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
SixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Six months were spent in this task.
spentadjectiveUS /spent/
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Six months were spent in this task.
steadilyadverbUS /ˈstedəli/
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
suitverbUS /suːt/
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
swift-coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Six months were spent in this task.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Six months were spent in this task.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LIFE AT MARLOW, AND JOURNEY TO ITALY.
torturingadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərɪŋ/
extremely painful
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
wanderingsnounUS /ˈwɑːndərɪŋz/
plural of “wandering” — travelling about without any clear destination
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Six months were spent in this task.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
WheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Whenever Shelley could, he composed in the open air.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
workedverbUS /wɜːrkt/
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Amid the torturing distractions of the Chancery suit about his children, and the still more poignant anguish of his own heart, and with the cloud of what he thought swift-coming death above his head, Shelley worked steadily, during the summer of 1817, upon his poem of "Laon and Cythna".
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading "The poem," to borrow Mrs. Shelley's words, "was written in his boat, as it floated under the beech-groves of Bisham, or during wanderings in the neighbouring country, which is distinguished for peculiar beauty."
