Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

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

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

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

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

move towards

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

having an (artificial) crown on a tooth

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

the act of departing

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

reason by deduction; establish by deduction

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

plural of “elevation” — the event of something being raised upward

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

an opposing military force

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading SPENSER'S FAERY QUEENE.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

a long narrow depression in a surface

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

inflected form of “gin” — separate the seeds from (cotton) with a cotton gin

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

brought together in one place

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

in a gradual manner

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

reflecting light

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

depressingly dark

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

highest in quality

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

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

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

poisonous drug derived from an Eurasian plant of the genus Conium

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

valuable tough heavy hardwood from various hickory trees

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

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

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

immediately past

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

the common people generally

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

the officer below the master on a commercial ship

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

like or characteristic of a mirror image

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

become covered with mist

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

above and across; more than

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

covered with growing plants

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

a straight line at right angles to another line

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

(Greek mythology) Greek god of light; god of prophecy and poetry and music and healing; son of Zeus and Leto; twin brother of Artemis

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

a coniferous tree

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

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

From this reading SPENSER'S FAERY QUEENE.

elude, especially in a baffling way

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

procumbent or spreading juniper

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

a river in Ontario that flows northeast into Hudson Bay

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

-ing form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

possessive form of “spenser” — English poet who wrote an allegorical romance celebrating Elizabeth I in the Spenserian stanza (1552-1599)

From this reading SPENSER'S FAERY QUEENE.

suffering from lack of food

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

inferior in size or quality

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

in or at that place or location

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

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

From this reading At last the golden orientall gate Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre.

(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

a garment that covers the head and face

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

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

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

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

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a murmur, so soft it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--.

but in spite of that

From this reading The beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist.