used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
aguenounUS /ˈeɪɡjuː/
a fit of shivering or shaking
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
alarmsnounUS /əˈlɑːrmz/
plural of “alarm” — fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
(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 EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
on or to one side
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
put or send forth
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And indeed they did.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
enclosedadjectiveUS /enˈkloʊzd/
closed in or surrounded or included within
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
EPITHALAMIUMnoun
an ode honoring a bride and bridegroom
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading And indeed they did.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
kingshipnounUS /ˈkɪŋʃɪp/
the dignity or rank or position of a king
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
go away from a place
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
MAIDSnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
measlesnounUS /ˈmiːzəlz/
an acute and highly contagious viral disease marked by distinct red spots followed by a rash; occurs primarily in children
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
murmurings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
pikesnounUS /paɪks/
plural of “pike” — a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
realmnounUS /relm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
seditiousadjectiveUS /sɪˈdɪʃəs/
arousing to action or rebellion
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
sick-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
sweatingnounUS /ˈswetɪŋ/
the process of the sweat glands of the skin secreting a salty fluid
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
up to a particular time
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
tossverbUS /tɔːs/
throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading For now she swayed a sick-room, and was absolute there: let seditious murmurings and alarms toss their pikes beyond the border.
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was beautiful to see her, with rank and kingship cast aside, more dignified by her little private fortune, more a queen for her enclosed realm.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
Wemyss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
wifehood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
but in spite of that
From this reading She took her place by his bed early—pale with care, yet composed—and kept it till past midnight.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading EPITHALAMIUM: END OF ALL MAIDS’ ADVENTURE He fell ill of measles, the young prince, before they could leave Wemyss—measles followed by much weakness, sweating, and ague; and though all her whispering world—but the few—might wonder, nothing could keep her from the proud uses of wifehood.
