Chapter X

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

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

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

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

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

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

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

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

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

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

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

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

plural of “carving” — a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

surround with a cloister, as of a garden

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

plural of “concern” — something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

delicately beautiful

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

a midday meal

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

a unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

the totality of surrounding conditions

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

the event of fading and gradually vanishing from sight

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

the organ of sight

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

indulging in or influenced by fancy

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

the head of a state government

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

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

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

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

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

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

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

plural of “item” — a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

used in combination to denote the middle

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

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

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

attach to a support

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

absolutely essential

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

something you have to do

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

on one occasion

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

-ing form of “pertain” — be relevant to

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

possessive form of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

characterized by profanity or cursing

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

plural of “ravage” — (usually plural) a destructive action

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

a hotel located in a resort area

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

reflecting optimism

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

cut into a desired shape

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

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

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

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

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

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

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

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

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

the act of transacting within or between groups (as carrying on commercial activities)

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

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From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

inflected form of “uphold” — keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

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

From this reading Despite, however, this first impression of evanescence, it carried a charm against the ravages of time, and ethereal though it was, had rested like a crown on the grim head of the rock through the ages.

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading Dainty, delicate, its rose-colored columns of granite appeared too thin for tangible weight; the tympan's sculptured designs, fanciful as the carvings in some palace of a poet's dreams.

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

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin

From this reading Once a place for quiet meditation, the cloister had, through a whirligig of change, become the favorite resort of the Governor, for _dejeuner_, or after-dinner dram, and, on occasions, for the transaction of much profane though necessary labor pertaining to his office and private concerns.

belonging to which person

From this reading He busied himself there now; or had been busying himself, but paused to look up from the large book before him, whose pages were inscribed with items and figures.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading THE CLOISTER IN THE AIR Irrespective of environment, the cloister of the Mount would have been a delight to the eye, but, upheld in mid air, with the sky so near and the sands so far below, it seemed more an inspiration of fancy than a work of hand.