used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
(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 It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All the landscape around it wore a shroud of ghastly white.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
berriesnounUS /ˈberiz/
plural of “berry” — any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
Cray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
Craybourne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
crystalnounUS /ˈkrɪstəl/
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
diamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/
in or to another place
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
divisible by two
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
at any time
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
your parents
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
forgetfuladjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡetfəl/
(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading All the landscape around it wore a shroud of ghastly white.
goodwillnounUS /ˈɡʊˈdwɪl/
(accounting) an intangible asset valued according to the advantage or reputation a business has acquired (over and above its tangible assets)
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
hollynounUS /ˈhɑːli/
any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
Kentishnoun
one of the major dialects of Old English
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
lacedadjectiveUS /leɪst/
closed with a lace
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading All the landscape around it wore a shroud of ghastly white.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
lustrenounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
the force of workers available
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
not any; not one
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
shroudverbUS /ʃraʊd/
cover as if with a shroud
From this reading All the landscape around it wore a shroud of ghastly white.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
snowyadjectiveUS /ˈsnoʊi/
marked by the presence of snow
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
sorrowfuladjectiveUS /ˈsɑːroʊfəl/
experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
sparkledverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəld/
past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
in the direction of
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
TudornounUS /ˈtuːdər/
an English dynasty descended from Henry Tudor; Tudor monarchs ruled from Henry VII to Elizabeth I (from 1485 to 1603)
From this reading Never had that old hall, ever since the Tudor days, seen a more sorrowful Christmas Eve.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The Cray was frozen in its bed, and all the shrubs and trees seemed turned to crystal, that sparkled with diamond lustre in the light of the moon and stars.
Vicaragenoun
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
a Caucasian
From this reading All the landscape around it wore a shroud of ghastly white.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading All the landscape around it wore a shroud of ghastly white.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It was Christmas Eve at Craybourne Hall, as elsewhere all over the Christian world; but the stillness as of death reigned there, and Laura, a widow now in heart indeed, lay tossing restlessly on her laced pillow, fighting, as it were, with the grim King, and forgetful even of her infant.
a late time of life
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
but in spite of that
From this reading Over the snowy waste the Christmas bells in the old Vicarage church rang out "Peace on Earth--Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men;" but there was no peace--peace of the heart, at least--in the stately hall; yet such a winter had not been seen for years, and great things, the old Kentish folks said, were sure to occur, for never had the holly been so covered with scarlet berries.
