Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading "Too light for them," said Dickenson after a long pause.

later than; following

From this reading "Too light for them," said Dickenson after a long pause.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

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

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

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

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "They will not come till morning.--Who's this?"

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

grow worse

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

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

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

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

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

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

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

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

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

a small hill rising up from the African veld

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading "Too light for them," said Dickenson after a long pause.

the property of relative size or extent (whether large or small)

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading "They will not come till morning.--Who's this?"

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "They will not come till morning.--Who's this?"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading "Too light for them," said Dickenson after a long pause.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

precisely, exactly

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Too light for them," said Dickenson after a long pause.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

shining with brilliant points of light like stars

From this reading The heavens had never seemed more beautiful, being one grand dome of sparkling incrustations.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

infer from incomplete evidence

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

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

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "Too light for them," said Dickenson after a long pause.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "They will not come till morning.--Who's this?"

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "They will not come till morning.--Who's this?"

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

up to a particular time

From this reading "They will not come till morning.--Who's this?"

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

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

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "Too light for them," said Dickenson after a long pause.

transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

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

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

during the time that

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

which person or people

From this reading The atmosphere was so clear that it seemed to those who lay back watching as if the dazzling points of light formed by the stars of the first magnitude stood out alone in the midst of the transparent darkness, while the shape of the kopje was plainly marked out against the vivid sky.

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

From this reading "They will not come till morning.--Who's this?"

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "They will not come till morning.--Who's this?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.

the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading It seemed as if Dickenson was right in his surmise, for the time glided on, with the stars rising to the zenith and beginning to decline.