Chapter II

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

(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 They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

the lower side of anything

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

apart from; not including

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

possessive form of “gold” — coins made of gold

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

plural of “guardian” — a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

the sound of laughing

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

used to form the superlative

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

and nothing more

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

resist doing something

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

plural of “ripple” — a small wave on the surface of a liquid

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

a small wave on the surface of a liquid

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

possessive form of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

with low volume

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

the first light of day

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

precisely as stated

From this reading They sang a little rippling refrain that meant nothing except laughter and joy, and sounded very like the ripples of the water themselves:

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Weia waga—” sang Woglinde, “Wavering waters, weaving and whirling, Walala weia!”

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Weia waga—” sang Woglinde, “Wavering waters, weaving and whirling, Walala weia!”

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading “Weia waga—” sang Woglinde, “Wavering waters, weaving and whirling, Walala weia!”

indecision in speech or action

From this reading “Weia waga—” sang Woglinde, “Wavering waters, weaving and whirling, Walala weia!”

creating fabric

From this reading “Weia waga—” sang Woglinde, “Wavering waters, weaving and whirling, Walala weia!”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Weia waga—” sang Woglinde, “Wavering waters, weaving and whirling, Walala weia!”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.

at the time that

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE RHINE MAIDENS At the bottom of the river Rhine, about the dark rock where rested the invisible Rhinegold, there swam one morning before sunrise the Gold’s fair guardians, the three children of the Rhine.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They were singing softly, and glancing constantly up to the rock’s crest, waiting for the appearance of the Rhinegold, which could only be seen when the sun had risen up above and sent its rays into the water to disclose the treasure.

the act of rotating in a circle or spiral

From this reading “Weia waga—” sang Woglinde, “Wavering waters, weaving and whirling, Walala weia!”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They were beautiful maidens, these three water-spirits, the most lovely of all the river people, and their names were Flosshilde, Woglinde, and Wellgunde.