used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
the state of being absent
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
adorationnounUS /ˌædərˈeɪʃən/
a feeling of profound love and admiration
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
(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 All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
anthemnounUS /ˈænθəm/
a song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
beetlenounUS /ˈbiːtəl/
insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
make calm or still
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
colourlessadjective
lacking in variety and interest
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
contemplativeadjectiveUS /kənˈtemplətɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/
half asleep
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
elicitedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlɪsɪtɪd/
called forth from a latent or potential state by stimulation
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
forgetfulnessnoun
tendency to forget
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
harmoniesnounUS /ˈhɑːrməniz/
plural of “harmony” — compatibility in opinion and action
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
leanounUS /liː/
a unit of length of thread or yarn
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
lowingverbUS /ˈloʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “low” — make a low noise, characteristic of bovines
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
mid-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
mistinessnoun
cloudiness resulting from haze or mist or vapor
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
mothnounUS /mɔːθ/
typically crepuscular or nocturnal insect having a stout body and feathery or hairlike antennae
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
musiciannounUS /mjuːˈzɪʃən/
someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
not any; not one
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
o'eradverb
throughout a period of time
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
precedesverbUS /prɪˈsiːdz/
third-person singular of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
producesnounUS /prəˈduːsəz/
plural of “produce” — fresh fruits and vegetable grown for the market
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
shard-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
sweetestadjectiveUS /ˈswiːtəst/
superlative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
tendingnounUS /ˈtendɪŋ/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
tranquiladjectiveUS /ˈtræŋkwəl/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading The aspect of the sky and earth too--clear, calm, and tranquil--are full of repose.
transparencynounUS /trænˈsperənsi/
permitting the free passage of electromagnetic radiation
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
precisely as stated
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
at the time that
From this reading The mistiness of the mid-day sunshine is away; and the very absence of a portion of the full daylight, and the thin, colourless transparency of the evening air, afford that contemplative, but no way drowsy charm which well precedes, by thought tending to adoration, the hour when, in darkness and forgetfulness, we trust ourselves unconscious to the hands of God.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Perhaps the sweetest hour of a sweet season is that which precedes the setting of the sun upon a May day.
a Caucasian
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The heart of man is but as an instrument from which the great musician, Nature, produces grand harmonies; and the most soothing anthem that rises within the breast is surely elicited by the soft touch of that evening hour.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading All the world is taking holiday, from the lowing herd that winds slowly o'er the lea to the shard-born beetle and the large white moth.
