Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

dwell

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

(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 But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

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

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

have

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

propose a payment

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

lacking or showing a lack of due concern

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

confined by bonds

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

(plural) the lay members of a male religious order

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

plural of “dew” — water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

an old word for “before”

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

set up or found

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

a slight suggestion or vague understanding

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

third-person singular of “hearken” — listen; used mostly in the imperative

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

an old word meaning “to this place”

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

a vast multitude

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

moving with great haste

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

full of or characterized by joy

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

an instance of becoming narrow

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

not any; not one

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

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

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

plural of “ride” — a journey in a vehicle (usually an automobile)

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

precisely, exactly

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

established irrevocably

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

plural of “seek” — the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

a person with unusual powers of foresight

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

filled with shade

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

an instance of visual perception

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

turn sharply; change direction abruptly

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

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

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

comparative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

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

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

plural of “spear” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

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

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

moving very fast

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

in or at that place or location

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

of or concerning this or that

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

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

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

up to a particular time

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

in the direction of

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

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

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

cover with wax

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

treated with wax

From this reading Then the fight Grew great and joyous as it grew, For left and right those brethren slew, Till all the lawn waxed red with dew More deep than dews of night.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

a native or resident of Wales

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

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

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

in or at the place that

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Then through the glimmering gloom around A shadowy sense of light and sound Made, ere the proof thereof were found, The brave blithe hearts within them bound, And “Where,” quoth Balen, “rides the king?”

land that is covered with trees and shrubs

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”

but in spite of that

From this reading There in that straitening way they met The wild Welsh host against them set, And smote their strong king down, ere yet His hurrying horde of spears might get Fierce vantage of them.

be the cause or source of

From this reading “And twenty ride of them before To bear his errand, ere the door Turn of the night, sealed fast no more, And sundawn bid the stars wax hoar; For by the starshine of to-night He seeks a leman where she waits His coming, dark and swift as fate’s, And hearkens toward the unopening gates That yield not him to sight.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But softer spake the seer: “Abide, Till hither toward your spears he ride, Where all the narrowing woodland side Grows dense with boughs that cling.”