used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
(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 An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
alluringadjectiveUS /əˈlʊrɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
extreme mental distress
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was the hour before the dawn.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
compoundnounUS /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
the first light of day
From this reading It was the hour before the dawn.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
having the place or position changed
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
ecstasynounUS /ˈekstəsi/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
enchainverb
restrain or bind with chains
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
enchantmentnounUS /enˈtʃæntmənt/
a feeling of great liking for something wonderful and unusual
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
at any time
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
fantasynounUS /ˈfæntəsi/
imagination unrestricted by reality
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
the act of retaining something
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
hootedverbUS /ˈhuːtɪd/
past form of “hoot” — to utter a loud clamorous shout
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was the hour before the dawn.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
magneticadjectiveUS /mæɡˈnetɪk/
of or relating to or caused by magnetism
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
marvelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
mid-heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
numblyadverb
in a numb manner; without feeling
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
on one occasion
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
owlnounUS /aʊl/
nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
paraquetnoun
any of numerous small slender long-tailed parrots
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
poignantadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪnjənt/
arousing affect
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
potionnounUS /ˈpoʊʃən/
a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
splendournoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
StellanounUS /ˈstelə/
United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
tastedverbUS /ˈteɪstɪd/
past form of “taste” — have flavor; taste of something
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
communicated in words
From this reading THE DARK NIGHT An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the hour before the dawn.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the splendour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading An immense moon hung suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its radiance.
but in spite of that
From this reading As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy--this Indian enchantment--poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.
