used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
(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 But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading Having opened the casement, I sat down at it, and repeated these lines aloud.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Having opened the casement, I sat down at it, and repeated these lines aloud.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
casementnoun
a window sash that is hinged (usually on one side)
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
composeverbUS /kəmˈpoʊz/
form the substance of
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Having opened the casement, I sat down at it, and repeated these lines aloud.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
ebonynounUS /ˈebəni/
a very dark black
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
divisible by two
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
feather'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
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 SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
hush'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
irradiateverbUS /ˌɪˈreɪdieɪt/
give spiritual insight to; in religion
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Having opened the casement, I sat down at it, and repeated these lines aloud.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
minstrelsynoun
a troupe of minstrels
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
moralizeverbUS /ˈmɔːrəlaɪz/
interpret the moral meaning of
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
nightingalenounUS /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/
European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Having opened the casement, I sat down at it, and repeated these lines aloud.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
palls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
recollectverbUS /ˌrekəˈlekt/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
renewverbUS /rɪˈnuː/
reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
repairedverbUS /rɪˈperd/
past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
recurring again and again
From this reading Having opened the casement, I sat down at it, and repeated these lines aloud.
romancesnounUS /roʊˈmænsɪz/
plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
sablesnounUS /ˈseɪbəlz/
plural of “sable” — an artist's brush made of sable hairs
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Having opened the casement, I sat down at it, and repeated these lines aloud.
express in words
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
and nothing more
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
SONNETnounUS /ˈsɑːnɪt/
a verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
spicyadjectiveUS /ˈspaɪsi/
producing a burning sensation on the taste nerves
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Having opened the casement, I sat down at it, and repeated these lines aloud.
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
tressesnounUS /ˈtresɪz/
plural of “tress” — a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
hard to endure
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading But after having summoned to my mind all the black articles of value that I can recollect--ebony, sables, palls, pitch, and even coal, I find I have nothing better to say, than, simply, that it was a dark night.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
at the time that
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The lonely nightingale shall pipe to thee, And I will moralize her minstrelsy.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading SONNET Now while within their wings each feather'd pair, Hide their hush'd heads, thy visit, moon, renew, Shake thy pale tresses down, irradiate air, Earth, and the spicy flowers that scent the dew.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The night was so dark when I repaired to the casement, that I have been trying to compose a description of it for you, in the style of the best romances.
