used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
(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 He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
on or to one side
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
brackennounUS /ˈbrækən/
fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
bunksnounUS /bʌŋks/
plural of “bunk” — a long trough for feeding cattle
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
put or send forth
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
a young person of either sex
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
divisible by two
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
destroyed or killed
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
improvisedadjectiveUS /ˈɪmprəvaɪzd/
done or made using whatever is available
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
jealouslyadverbUS /ˈdʒeləsli/
with jealousy
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
JeromenounUS /dʒərˈoʊm/
(Roman Catholic Church) one of the great Fathers of the early Christian Church whose major work was his translation of the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into Latin (which became the Vulgate); a saint and Doctor of the Church (347-420)
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
and nothing more
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
laborsnounUS /ˈleɪbərz/
plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
loftnounUS /lɔːft/
floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
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 An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
the force of workers available
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
offersnounUS /ˈɔːfərz/
plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
peepingverbUS /ˈpiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
segmentnounUS /ˈseɡmənt/
one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
semi-obscurity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
Shawe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
sheennounUS /ʃiːn/
the visual property of something that shines with reflected light
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
snowdropnoun
common anemone of eastern North America with solitary pink-tinged white flowers
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
a person, without saying who
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
strandsnounUS /strændz/
plural of “strand” — a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
supremacynounUS /səˈpreməsi/
power to dominate or defeat
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
very small
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
TowardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
vigilnounUS /ˈvɪdʒəl/
a period of sleeplessness
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading An hour or so earlier the men had gone to their bunks in the long loft overhead, and their heavy breathing now proclaimed the fact that they were resting from their labors.
which person or people
From this reading Every one in the house was sleeping but Shawe; even old Jerome, who sat huddled by the side of the little one, nodded at his post.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE PEACE OF GOD Toward midnight somebody stepped close to the improvised bed and stood looking down with troubled eyes at the child curled up among the blankets there.
woollennounUS /ˈwʊlən/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading The light from the low fire cast an occasional flickering flame upon the tiny segment of cheek just visible above the woollen covering, like a snowdrop peeping out of a mass of old bracken, and on the floating strands of hair that had lost their golden sheen in the semi-obscurity.
a late time of life
From this reading He had maintained the right of watching, by supremacy of his years and her evident preference for him, jealously putting aside all offers that his vigil be shared.
