adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
aislesnounUS /aɪlz/
plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
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 There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
augustnounUS /ˈɑːɡəst/
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
babelnounUS /ˈbæbəl/
(Genesis 11:1-11) a tower built by Noah's descendants (probably in Babylon) who intended it to reach up to heaven; God foiled them by confusing their language so they could no longer understand one another
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
bellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
borneverbUS /bɔːrn/
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
chantingnounUS /ˈtʃæntɪŋ/
the act of singing in a monotonous tone
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
chapels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
clangnounUS /klæŋ/
a loud resonant repeating noise
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
concoursenounUS /ˈkɑːnkɔːrs/
a large gathering of people
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
confusionnounUS /kənˈfjuːʒən/
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
dischargeverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/
complete or carry out
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
guardnounUS /ɡɑːrd/
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
HostnounUS /hoʊst/
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/
making a strong or vivid impression
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
kneeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
latelyadverbUS /ˈleɪtli/
in the recent past
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
linenounUS /laɪn/
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
marblenounUS /ˈmɑːrbəl/
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
massnounUS /mæs/
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
militaryadjectiveUS /ˈmɪləteri/
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
multitudenounUS /ˈmʌltətuːd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
muskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
navenounUS /neɪv/
the central area of a church
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
popenounUS /poʊp/
the head of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
servicesnounUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəz/
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
singingnounUS /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
soldiersnounUS /ˈsoʊldʒərz/
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
solemnitynounUS /səˈlemnəti/
a trait of dignified seriousness
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
spotnounUS /spɑːt/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
strokenounUS /stroʊk/
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
sweptadjectiveUS /swept/
possessing sweep
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
UpadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
walkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
