used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
approvalnounUS /əˈpruːvəl/
the formal act of approving
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
braidedadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪdɪd/
woven by (or as if by) braiding
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
eminentadjectiveUS /ˈemənənt/
standing above others in quality or position
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
brought together in one place
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
the head of a state government
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
harnessesnounUS /ˈhɑːrnəsəz/
plural of “harness” — a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
manesnounUS /meɪnz/
a Persian prophet who founded Manichaeism (216-276)
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
the force of workers available
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
multicoloredadjectiveUS /ˌmʌltiˈkʌlərd/
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
necksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
Popov
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
psalmistnoun
a composer of sacred songs
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
ribbonsnounUS /ˈrɪbənz/
plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
sleighnounUS /sleɪ/
a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
sleighs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
tinklingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋkəlɪŋ/
like the short high ringing sound of a small bell
From this reading Around the animals’ necks tinkling bells were hung, and their harnesses were dazzling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
uncoveredadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌvərd/
not covered with clothing
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
watchernounUS /ˈwɑːtʃər/
a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
a Caucasian
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the first sleigh, driven by the eminent Popov, rode the priest with his psalmist, at sight of whom the men uncovered their heads and the women bowed low.
belonging to which person
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the hour set for the ceremony a sigh of approval went up as ten sleighs appeared drawn by white horses whose tails and manes were braided with multicolored ribbons.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading From early morning a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered near the chapel.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Not a bishop or a governor would be ashamed of such horses,” said one watcher to another.
