1731
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
1800
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
abhorverbUS /æbˈhɔːr/
find repugnant
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
admireverbUS /ædˈmaɪr/
feel admiration for
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (“Alice in Wonderland.”)
(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 A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOW-WORM.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a feeling of craving something
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
approbationnounUS /ˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/
official approval
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!”
beautifyverbUS /ˈbjuːtɪfaɪ/
make more beautiful
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
CARROLLnounUS /ˈkærəl/
English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
From this reading LEWIS CARROLL.
give encouragement to
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
cheeredverbUS /tʃɪrd/
past form of “cheer” — give encouragement to
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
CowpernounUS /ˈkaʊpər/
English surgeon who discovered Cowper's gland (1666-1709)
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
cropnounUS /krɑːp/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
emanating from God
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!”
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
eloquentadjectiveUS /ˈeləkwənt/
expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
eventidenoun
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
set up or found
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
GLOW-WORM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOW-WORM.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
HaranguedverbUS /hərˈæŋd/
past form of “harangue” — deliver a harangue to; address forcefully
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
hawthornnounUS /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/
a spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading (“Alice in Wonderland.”)
includeverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːd/
have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!”
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
LEWISnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)
From this reading LEWIS CARROLL.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
minstrelsynoun
a troupe of minstrels
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
NIGHTINGALEnounUS /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/
European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song
From this reading THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOW-WORM.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
a brief written record
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!”
orationnounUS /ɔːˈreɪʃən/
an instance of oratory
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
quoth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
ReleasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
express the need or desire for
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
self-same
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
deliver by singing
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
in or at or to some place
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
songsternoun
a composer of words or music for popular songs
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
sparknounUS /spɑːrk/
a momentary flash of light
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
spiedverbUS /spaɪd/
inflected form of “spy” — catch sight of
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
spoilverbUS /spɔɪl/
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
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 The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
teachernounUS /ˈtiːtʃər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOW-WORM.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
the upper part of anything
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
twas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
warblingverbUS /ˈwɔːrbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “warble” — sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below
From this reading The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
at the time that
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “The Nightingale,” by William Cowper (1731-1800), is a favourite with a teacher of good taste, and I include it at her request.
WonderlandnounUS /ˈwʌndərlænd/
a place or scene of great or strange beauty or wonder
From this reading (“Alice in Wonderland.”)
wormnounUS /wɜːrm/
any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
but in spite of that
From this reading A nightingale, that all day long Had cheered the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent: “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, “As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song; For ’twas the self-same power divine, Taught you to sing and me to shine; That you with music, I with light, Might beautify and cheer the night.”
