used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
Adeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
apprehensiveadjectiveUS /ˌæprɪˈhensɪv/
quick to understand
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
balmnounUS /bɑːm/
any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
bed-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
blandadjectiveUS /blænd/
lacking taste or flavor or tang
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
the act of burning something
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
make calm or still
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
cursorilyadverb
without taking pains
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
depositedverbUS /dəˈpɑːzɪtɪd/
past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
dewsnounUS /duːz/
plural of “dew” — water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
discoloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
drawernounUS /drɔːr/
a boxlike container in a piece of furniture; made so as to slide in and out
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
one or the other of two
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
set up or found
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
gratifiedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪd/
having received what was desired
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
a particular point in time
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
MSnounUS /mɪz/
a chronic progressive nervous disorder involving loss of myelin sheath around certain nerve fibers
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
O'eradverb
throughout a period of time
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
obliteratedadjectiveUS /əˈblɪtəreɪtɪd/
reduced to nothingness
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
oblivion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
and nothing more
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
perusalnounUS /pərˈuːzəl/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading She opened it with an eagerness of inquiry which the discoloured and almost obliterated ink but slowly gratified.
that is looked for
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The MS. found by Adeline the preceding night had several times occurred to her recollection in the course of the day; but she had then been either too much interested by the events of the moment, or too apprehensive of interruption, to attempt a perusal of it.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
WARTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WARTON.
watch'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Full many a melancholy night He watch'd the slow return of light, And sought the powers of sleep; To spread a momentary calm O'er his sad couch, and in the balm Of bland oblivion's dews his burning eyes to steep.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She now took it from the drawer in which it had been deposited, and, intending only to look cursorily over the few first pages, sat down with it by her bed-side.
