used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
(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 Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
annualadjectiveUS /ˈænjuːəl/
completing its life cycle within a year
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
Ascalon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
for the reason that
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
blazesnounUS /ˈbleɪzɪz/
plural of “blaze” — a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
civicadjectiveUS /ˈsɪvɪk/
of or relating or belonging to a city
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
courtiernounUS /ˈkɔːrtiər/
an attendant at the court of a sovereign
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
daintier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
damesnounUS /deɪmz/
plural of “dame” — informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
dangler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
descendsverbUS /dɪˈsendz/
third-person singular of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
dronesnounUS /droʊnz/
plural of “drone” — stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
edgingnounUS /ˈedʒɪŋ/
border consisting of anything placed on the edge to finish something (such as a fringe on clothing or on a rug)
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
effronterynounUS /ɪˈfrʌntəri/
audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
exodusnounUS /ˈeksədəs/
a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
fleeverbUS /fliː/
run away quickly
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
Gath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
horizonsnounUS /hərˈaɪzənz/
plural of “horizon” — the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
idlernounUS /ˈaɪdələr/
person who does no work
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
located inward
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
meannessnounUS /ˈmiːnnəs/
the quality of being deliberately mean
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
millionsnounUS /ˈmɪljənz/
plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
on one occasion
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
ostentationnounUS /ˌɔːstenˈteɪʃən/
a gaudy outward display
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
PhilistianounUS /fɪˈlɪstiə/
an ancient region on the coast of southwestern Palestine that was strategically located on a trade route between Syria and Egypt; important in biblical times
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
PhilistinesnounUS /ˈfɪləstiːnz/
plural of “philistine” — a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
participate in games or sport
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
PremonitionsnounUS /preməˈnɪʃənz/
plural of “premonition” — a feeling of evil to come
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
Quarren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
shabbinessnoun
a lack of elegance as a consequence of wearing threadbare or dirty clothing
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
shamnounUS /ʃæm/
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
smittenadjectiveUS /ˈsmɪtən/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
snow-flakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
the season of growth
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
not in physical motion
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
the rays of the sun
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
tarnishedverbUS /ˈtɑːrnɪʃt/
past form of “tarnish” — make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Premonitions of spring started the annual social exodus; because in the streets of Ascalon and in the busy ways of Gath spring becomes summer over night and all Philistia is smitten by the sun.
at the time that
From this reading And all the meanness and shabbiness and effrontery of the monstrous city, all its civic pretence and tarnished ostentation are suddenly revealed when the summer sun blazes over Ascalon.
WhereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading Wherefore the daintier among the Philistines flee--idler, courtier, dangler and squire of dames--not to return until the first snow-flakes fall and the gray veil of November descends once more over the sorry sham of Ascalon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Out of the inner temple, his ears still ringing with the noise of the drones, Quarren had gone forth.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading And already, far away in the outer sunshine, he could see real people at work and at play, millions and millions of them--and a real sky overhead edging far horizons.
