Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

(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 The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

at right angles to the center line of a ship

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

a light shade of blue

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

the lowest part of the musical range

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

covered with or as if with carpeting or with carpeting as specified; often used in combination

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

past form of “challenge” — take exception to

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

following accepted customs and proprieties

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

to come or go into

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

in a delicate manner

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

in tiny pieces

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

a specific size and style of type within a type family

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

tastelessly showy

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

past form of “garnish” — take a debtor's wages on legal orders, such as for child support

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

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 Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

a particular point in time

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

a fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

plural of “pew” — long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

plural of “rack” — framework for holding objects

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

impressive in appearance

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

make steady

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

in a softened tone

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

plural of “tint” — a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was Sunday morning in a church at New Laodicea.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The members of the choir were all in their places in the rear gallery, and prepared in order their music in the racks before them.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Exquisitely stained windows challenged the too garish daylight, but permitted to enter subdued rays in azure, violet and crimson tints which fell athwart the eastern pews and garnished the marble font and the finely carved pulpit.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The bell had ceased pealing and the great organ began its prelude with deep bass notes that vibrated through the stately building.

plural of “worshiper” — someone who admires too much to recognize faults

From this reading Below the worshipers poured in steady, quiet streams down the carpeted aisles to their places, and there was a gentle murmur of silk as ladies settled in their pews and bowed their heads for the conventional moment of prayer.