51
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the invocation to the muse he thinks he hears her playing:
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
AnotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
babblingnounUS /ˈbæbəlɪŋ/
gibberish resembling the sounds of a baby
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
baynounUS /beɪ/
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
believedverbUS /bɪˈliːvd/
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
breezenounUS /briːz/
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
breezesnounUS /ˈbriːzɪz/
plural of “breeze” — a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Or is this but frenzy's pleasing dream?
CalliopenounUS /kəˈlaɪəpiː/
(Greek mythology) the Muse of epic poetry
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
Catullusnoun
Roman lyric poet remembered for his love poems to an aristocratic Roman woman (84-54 BC)
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
consecratedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəkreɪtɪd/
solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high or sacred purpose
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Or is this but frenzy's pleasing dream?
entrancingadjective
capturing interest as if by a spell
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
etherealadjectiveUS /ɪˈθɪriəl/
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
fourthnounUS /fɔːrθ/
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
frenzy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or is this but frenzy's pleasing dream?
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
grovesnounUS /ɡroʊvz/
United States general who served as military director of the atomic bomb project (1896-1970)
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
HarkverbUS /hɑːrk/
listen; used mostly in the imperative
From this reading "Hark!
harmoniesnounUS /ˈhɑːrməniz/
plural of “harmony” — compatibility in opinion and action
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After the invocation to the muse he thinks he hears her playing:
hearsverbUS /hiːrz/
third-person singular of “hear” — perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading After the invocation to the muse he thinks he hears her playing:
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After the invocation to the muse he thinks he hears her playing:
Horace'snounUS /ˈhɔːrəsəz/
possessive form of “horace” — Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
illuminatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtɪŋ/
tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
invocationnounUS /ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃən/
a prayer asking God's help as part of a religious service
From this reading After the invocation to the muse he thinks he hears her playing:
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
ManyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
Marchena's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/
possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading Sir Theodore Martin's version.
mingleverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəl/
to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
musenounUS /mjuːz/
in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science
From this reading After the invocation to the muse he thinks he hears her playing:
notenounUS /noʊt/
a brief written record
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
occursverbUS /əˈkɜːrz/
third-person singular of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Another exquisite and illuminating passage occurs in Catullus, 51, given in Marchena's fourth note.
odenounUS /oʊd/
a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or is this but frenzy's pleasing dream?
parallelnounUS /ˈperəlel/
something having the property of being analogous to something else
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading After the invocation to the muse he thinks he hears her playing:
pleasingadjectiveUS /ˈpliːzɪŋ/
giving pleasure and satisfaction
From this reading Or is this but frenzy's pleasing dream?
ProbablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Probably the finest parallel is to be found in Horace's ode to Calliope.
scholarsnounUS /ˈskɑːlərz/
plural of “scholar” — a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Theodore Martin's version.
SirensnounUS /ˈsaɪrənz/
plural of “siren” — a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
streamnounUS /striːm/
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
Theodore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Theodore Martin's version.
thinksnounUS /θɪŋks/
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading After the invocation to the muse he thinks he hears her playing:
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
ThroughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Many scholars have drawn attention to the ethereal beauty of this passage.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
versionnounUS /ˈvɜːrʒən/
an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint
From this reading Sir Theodore Martin's version.
voicesnounUS /ˈvɔɪsəz/
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
WhereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Through groves I seem to stray Of consecrated bay, Where voices mingle with the babbling stream, And whispering breezes play."
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading entrancing was the sound upon the listening air that you would have believed the Sirens' harmonies were floating in the breeze."
