used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
in the past
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
(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 FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
bar-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
compellingadjectiveUS /kəmˈpelɪŋ/
driving or forcing
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
coyotesnounUS /kaɪˈoʊtis/
plural of “coyote” — small wolf native to western North America
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
dolefullyadverb
with sadness; in a sorrowful manner
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
dreamernounUS /ˈdriːmər/
someone who is dreaming
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
drunkardnounUS /ˈdrʌŋkərd/
a chronic drinker
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
start firing a weapon
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading The moon rode low in the heavens.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
jocularadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːkjələr/
characterized by jokes and good humor
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
go away from a place
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
held up in the air
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The moon rode low in the heavens.
maudlinadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːdlɪn/
effusively or insincerely emotional
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was waning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
OlivernounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
picturedadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərd/
seen in the mind as a mental image
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading The moon rode low in the heavens.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
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 Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
singsverbUS /sɪŋz/
third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
the state of being asleep
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
sprucenounUS /spruːs/
light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork
From this reading Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Tall pines and spruce stood black and bar-like against the silver radiance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading The night was waning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was waning.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading THE FIRE DANCE The round moon looked down upon a scene so weird and compelling that Oliver Drew vaguely wondered if it all were real, or one of those strange dreams that leave in the mind of the dreamer the impression that ages ago he has looked upon the things which his sleeping fancy pictured.
yodelnounUS /ˈjoʊdəl/
a songlike cry in which the voice fluctuates rapidly between the normal voice and falsetto
From this reading Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.
