used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
CASTANETSnoun
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
clickingverbUS /ˈklɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
costumesnounUS /kɑːˈstuːmz/
plural of “costume” — the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
every person
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
Fernando
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
hushedadjectiveUS /hʌʃt/
in a softened tone
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
leatheryadjectiveUS /ˈleðəri/
resembling or made to resemble leather; tough but pliable
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
LEGENDnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
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 It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
plumedadjective
having or covered with or abounding in plumes
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
reverenceverbUS /ˈrevərəns/
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
rhythmnounUS /ˈrɪðəm/
the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
shawlnounUS /ʃɔːl/
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
without speaking
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading Everybody felt the solemn beauty of the ceremony, and a hushed reverence had fallen over the cathedral.
a male human offspring
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
make steady
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
tannedadjectiveUS /tænd/
(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Fernando, their son, moved among those graceful figures beneath the altar.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
showing sorrow
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading DANCE OF THE SIX (A LEGEND OF THE CASTANETS) The chorus had been sung, and now they were dancing to the steady, clicking rhythm of their castanets.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Two old people, a woman with a black shawl thrown over her head and an old man with a tanned, leathery face, sat silently weeping.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It was a dignified dance, done by young boys wearing silken pages' costumes and wide, plumed hats.
