used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
(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 Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
ASTROPHEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
augmentverbUS /ɔːɡˈment/
enlarge or increase
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
beguiledadjectiveUS /bɪˈɡaɪld/
filled with wonder and delight
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
the two together, not just one
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
bowernounUS /ˈbaʊər/
a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
breedverbUS /briːd/
call forth
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
comelyadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmli/
according with custom or propriety
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
demeanournounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
dothauxiliary verbUS /dɔːθ/
an old form of “does”
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
doublyadverbUS /ˈdʌbli/
to double the degree
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
at any time
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
excellingverbUS /ekˈselɪŋ/
inflected form of “excel” — distinguish oneself
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
provide as food
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
set up or found
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
gallnounUS /ɡɔːl/
an open sore on the back of a horse caused by ill-fitting or badly adjusted saddle
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
honeynounUS /ˈhʌni/
a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
joyance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
lambsnounUS /læmz/
plural of “lamb” — young sheep
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
maskingnounUS /ˈmæskɪŋ/
the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
MerrilyadverbUS /ˈmerəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
NenounUS /niː/
a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
nymphnounUS /nɪmf/
(classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
participate in games or sport
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
ravishmentnoun
a feeling of delight at being filled with wonder and enchantment
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
express in words
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
sourverbUS /ˈsaʊər/
go sour or spoil
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
spillverbUS /spɪl/
cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
sportsnounUS /spɔːrts/
plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
swainnounUS /sweɪn/
a man who is the lover of a man or woman
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
usagenounUS /ˈjuːsədʒ/
the act of using
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- Found ought in him, that she could say was ill.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
at the time that
From this reading There was no pleasure nor delightful play When ASTROPHEL so ever was away.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; And he himself seemed made for merriment, Merrily masking both in bower and hall.
wittinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪtɪŋli/
with full knowledge and deliberation
From this reading Which daily more and more he did augment With gentle usage and demeanour mild; That all men's hearts with secret ravishment He stole away, and wittingly beguiled.
wox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For from the time that first the nymph his mother Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: A slender swain, excelling far each other In comely shape, like her that did him breed: He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; And doubly fair wox both in mind and face.
