used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
ablazeadjectiveUS /əˈbleɪz/
keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
acolytesnounUS /ˈækəlaɪts/
plural of “acolyte” — someone who assists a priest or minister in a liturgical service; a cleric ordained in the highest of the minor orders in the Roman Catholic Church but not in the Anglican Church or the Eastern Orthodox Churches
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading One by one they approached the altar of St. Joseph.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
BenedictionnounUS /ˌbenəˈdɪkʃən/
the act of praying for divine protection
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One by one they approached the altar of St. Joseph.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
congregationnounUS /ˌkɑːŋɡrəˈɡeɪʃən/
a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
countingnounUS /ˈkaʊntɪŋ/
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
impulsesnounUS /ˈɪmpəlsɪz/
plural of “impulse” — an instinctive motive
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
From this reading One by one they approached the altar of St. Joseph.
immediately past
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
life-timenoun
the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
lightingnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
used to form the superlative
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
of an obscure nature
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One by one they approached the altar of St. Joseph.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One by one they approached the altar of St. Joseph.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
coated with paint
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
penniesnounUS /ˈpeniz/
plural of “penny” — a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
rattledadjectiveUS /ˈrætəld/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
sconcenounUS /skɑːns/
a shelter or screen providing protection from enemy fire or from the weather
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
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 The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
simple-mindedadjective
lacking subtlety and insight
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
in the near future
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one they approached the altar of St. Joseph.
stock-broker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One by one they approached the altar of St. Joseph.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
From this reading The wealthy stock-broker, counting with care two pennies from amongst a handful of silver, was servant to the impulses of his nature.
at the time that
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE LAST CANDLE When the Benediction was over and the priest had passed in procession with the acolytes into the mysterious shadows behind the altar, the little congregation rose slowly to its feet.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading One by one their pennies rattled into the brown wooden box as they took out their candles, and soon the sconce before the painted image of that simple-minded saint was ablaze with little points of light.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading There is nature in everything; as much in lighting candles for poor St. Joseph as you will find in the most momentous decision of a life-time.
