1877
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
1878
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
26th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/
in the past
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
bitteradjectiveUS /ˈbɪtər/
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
braveadjectiveUS /breɪv/
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
breathedadjectiveUS /briːðd/
uttered without voice
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
briarnounUS /ˈbraɪər/
Eurasian rose with prickly stems and fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers followed by scarlet hips
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
bright-starred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
burgeons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
callverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
cawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
ChristnounUS /kraɪst/
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
cowardnounUS /ˈkaʊərd/
a person who shows fear or timidity
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
crocus-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
daffodilnounUS /ˈdæfədɪl/
any of numerous varieties of Narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
deadadjectiveUS /ded/
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
dieverbUS /daɪ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/
weak from exhaustion
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
EatenverbUS /ˈiːtən/
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
featheredadjectiveUS /ˈfeðərd/
adorned with feathers or plumes
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
fieldsnounUS /fiːldz/
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
FLEMINGnounUS /ˈflemɪŋ/
British writer famous for writing spy novels about secret agent James Bond (1908-1964)
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
flowernounUS /ˈflaʊər/
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
FondadjectiveUS /fɑːnd/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
foolishadjectiveUS /ˈfuːlɪʃ/
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
FRIENDnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
gaolnoun
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
GEORGEnounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/
death of a person
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
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 A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
heaveverbUS /hiːv/
utter a sound, as with obvious effort
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
ItaliannounUS /ˌɪˈtæljən/
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
JunenounUS /dʒuːn/
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
killverbUS /kɪl/
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
killedverbUS /kɪld/
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
kissnounUS /kɪs/
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
larchnounUS /lɑːrtʃ/
wood of a larch tree
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
lieverbUS /laɪ/
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
liesnounUS /laɪz/
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
lovenounUS /lʌv/
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/
held dear
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
MarchverbUS /mɑːrtʃ/
march in a procession
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
marriage-ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
methinks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
MIRAGEnounUS /mərˈɑːʒ/
an optical illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
moonnounUS /muːn/
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
Newdigate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
NILEnounUS /naɪl/
the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
northernadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
NOVELnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
paleadjectiveUS /peɪl/
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
PoemnounUS /ˈpoʊəm/
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
primrosenounUS /ˈprɪmroʊz/
any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
PrizenounUS /praɪz/
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
purplenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəl/
a purple color or pigment
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
racenounUS /reɪs/
any competition
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
RAVENNAnounUS /rəˈvenə/
a battle between the French and an alliance of Spaniards and Swiss and Venetians in 1512
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
ReadingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
RecitedverbUS /rəˈsaɪtɪd/
past form of “recite” — recite in elocution
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
rooksnounUS /rʊks/
plural of “rook” — (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
Round-girdled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
shamenounUS /ʃeɪm/
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
Sheldonian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
sighverbUS /saɪ/
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
singingnounUS /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
snowdrops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
SpringnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
swordnounUS /sɔːrd/
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
tearverbUS /ter/
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
teethnounUS /tiːθ/
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
TheatrenounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading RAVENNA _Newdigate Prize Poem_ Recited in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford June 26th, 1878 * * * * * TO MY FRIEND GEORGE FLEMING AUTHOR OF ‘THE NILE NOVEL’ AND ‘MIRAGE’ _Ravenna_, _March_ 1877 _Oxford_, _March_ 1878 RAVENNA I.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
throstlenoun
a spinning machine formerly used to twist and wind fibers of cotton or wool continuously
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
uncomforted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
violet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
winding-sheetnoun
burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
windyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪndi/
abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes
From this reading And there, till Christ call forth the dead, In silence let him lie: No need to waste the foolish tear, Or heave the windy sigh: The man had killed the thing he loved, And so he had to die.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
wood-doves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading And all men kill the thing they love, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
wretchedadjectiveUS /ˈretʃɪd/
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading IN Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of shame, And in it lies a wretched man Eaten by teeth of flame, In a burning winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has got no name.
YEARnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading A YEAR ago I breathed the Italian air,— And yet, methinks this northern Spring is fair,— These fields made golden with the flower of March, The throstle singing on the feathered larch, The cawing rooks, the wood-doves fluttering by, The little clouds that race across the sky; And fair the violet’s gentle drooping head, The primrose, pale for love uncomforted, The rose that burgeons on the climbing briar, The crocus-bed, (that seems a moon of fire Round-girdled with a purple marriage-ring); And all the flowers of our English Spring, Fond snowdrops, and the bright-starred daffodil.
