used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
attainverbUS /əˈteɪn/
to gain with effort
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
see with attention
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading The distant sound of a church-clock is borne faintly on the wind.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
church-clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant sound of a church-clock is borne faintly on the wind.
convocationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvəˈkeɪʃən/
a group gathered in response to a summons
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The distant sound of a church-clock is borne faintly on the wind.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
opinion or judgment
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading The distant sound of a church-clock is borne faintly on the wind.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
flitverbUS /flɪt/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
ghostlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊstli/
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
only a very short time before
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
illusionsnounUS /ˌɪˈluːʒənz/
plural of “illusion” — an erroneous mental representation
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
metaphornounUS /ˈmetəfɔːr/
a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
a particular point in time
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
obscuritynounUS /əbsˈkjʊrəti/
the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The distant sound of a church-clock is borne faintly on the wind.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
passportnounUS /ˈpæspɔːrt/
any authorization to pass or go somewhere
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
perceptionnounUS /pərˈsepʃən/
the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
precinctsnounUS /ˈpriːsɪŋkts/
plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
realmnounUS /relm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
recollectverbUS /ˌrekəˈlekt/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
scenerynounUS /ˈsiːnəri/
the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
in a serious manner
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
unusual or striking
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The distant sound of a church-clock is borne faintly on the wind.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
strangenessnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒnəs/
unusualness as a consequence of not being well known
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
unclosing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
undisturbedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈstɜːrbd/
untroubled by interference or disturbance
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
varyverbUS /ˈveri/
become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
at the time that
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The distant sound of a church-clock is borne faintly on the wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading You question with yourself, half seriously, whether it has stolen to your waking ear from some gray tower, that stood within the precincts of your dream.
wondrousadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndrəs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Or, to vary the metaphor, you find yourself, for a single instant, wide awake in that realm of illusions, whither sleep has been the passport, and behold its ghostly inhabitants and wondrous scenery, with a perception of their strangeness, such as you never attain while the dream is undisturbed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber!
