used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
bog-myrtle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
without doubt or question
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
honeysucklenounUS /ˈhʌnisʌkəl/
shrub or vine of the genus Lonicera
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
hooting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
lonelinessnounUS /ˈloʊnlinəs/
the state of being alone in solitary isolation
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
majesticadjectiveUS /məˈdʒestɪk/
majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/
the cloak as a symbol of authority
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
moonlitadjectiveUS /ˈmuːnlɪt/
lighted by moonlight
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
moorsnounUS /mʊrz/
plural of “moor” — one of the Muslim people of north Africa; of mixed Arab and Berber descent; converted to Islam in the 8th century; conqueror of Spain in the 8th century
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
owlnounUS /aʊl/
nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
ripplenounUS /ˈrɪpəl/
a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
silencesnounUS /ˈsaɪlənsɪz/
plural of “silence” — the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The rough track that led to the Stones was clearly defined in its radiance, and the Stones themselves stood up like sentinels on the hill.
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
waftverbUS /wɑːft/
be driven or carried along, as by the air
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
migratory
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE An owl was hooting in the moonlit distance, and the ripple, ripple, ripple of running water filled in the silences.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The scent of wet bog-myrtle with now and then a waft of late honeysuckle was in the air.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading And from the east, silver, majestic, wonderful, a moon that was nearly full mounted upwards to her throne above the earth.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading A vast loneliness—the loneliness of the moors at night which is somehow like an unseen presence—wrapped the whole world as in a mantle which the weird cry of the wandering bird pierced but could not lift.
