AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
archesnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃəz/
plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
AudiencenounUS /ˈɑːdiəns/
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
basinnounUS /ˈbeɪsən/
a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
burnedadjectiveUS /bɜːrnd/
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
canopynounUS /ˈkæn.ə.pi/
An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
ceremoniesnounUS /ˈserəmoʊniz/
plural of “ceremony” — a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
coolnessnounUS /ˈkuːlnəs/
calm and unruffled self-assurance
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
courtnounUS /kɔːrt/
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
COURTYARDnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
darklyadverbUS /ˈdɑːrkli/
without light
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
downwardsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
glitternounUS /ˈɡlɪtər/
the quality of shining with a bright reflected light
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
guestsnounUS /ɡests/
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
HallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
investiturenounUS /ˌɪnˈvestətʃər/
the ceremony of installing a new monarch
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
lampnounUS /læmp/
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
lednounUS /led/
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 From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
LiliesnounUS /ˈlɪliz/
plural of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
marblenounUS /ˈmɑːrbəl/
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
pervadedverbUS /pərˈveɪdɪd/
past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
reflectionnounUS /rɪˈflekʃən/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
roofedadjectiveUS /ruːft/
covered with a roof; having a roof as specified (often used in combination)
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
spreadverbUS /spred/
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
steadilyadverbUS /ˈstedəli/
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
thronging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
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 From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
