used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
AlexandrianounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændriə/
a town in Louisiana on the Red River
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
Catullusnoun
Roman lyric poet remembered for his love poems to an aristocratic Roman woman (84-54 BC)
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
compellingadjectiveUS /kəmˈpelɪŋ/
driving or forcing
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
the first light of day
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
greatly pleased
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
diaphanousadjectiveUS /daɪˈæfənɪs/
so thin as to transmit light
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
EgyptnounUS /ˈiːdʒəpt/
a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
enchantmentnounUS /enˈtʃæntmənt/
a feeling of great liking for something wonderful and unusual
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
divisible by two
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
fairy-tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
fairylike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
flimsyadjectiveUS /ˈflɪmzi/
lacking solidity or strength
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
gablesnounUS /ˈɡeɪbəlz/
plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
gleamsnounUS /ɡliːmz/
plural of “gleam” — an appearance of reflected light
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
HarbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
honoursnoun
a university degree with honors
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
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 On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
legatenounUS /ˈleɡət/
a member of a legation
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
Lochias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
Lucius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
magicaladjectiveUS /ˈmædʒɪkəl/
possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
marvellousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
become covered with mist
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
monumentaladjectiveUS /ˌmɑːnjəˈmentəl/
relating or belonging to or serving as a monument
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
mother-o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
nine-storeyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
palacesnounUS /ˈpæləsəz/
plural of “palace” — a large and stately mansion
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
PharosnounUS /ˈferoʊz/
a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
a light shade of red
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
provincenounUS /ˈprɑːvəns/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
residedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪdɪd/
past form of “reside” — make one's home in a particular place or community
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
transport commercially
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading On the left, on the rocks of Lochias, the pillars of the former royal palace shone magical and fairylike in the silvery mist.
silveryadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlvəri/
resembling or reminiscent of silver
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
slowly-lifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
confined on all sides
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
tea-rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Thrasyllus knew that, since Egypt had become a Roman province, the legate resided there, surrounded with royal honours.
Thrasyllus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading The ship had glided past the monumental, marble, nine-storeyed Pharos into the Great Harbour; and Alexandria lay before the eyes of the delighted travellers, Lucius, Thrasyllus, Catullus, shining pink through diaphanous, mother-o'-pearl gleams and a slowly-lifting silvery mist, like a city of magic and fairy-tale.
a vivid mental image
From this reading Next morning, the soft, even light of a tea-rose dawn spread over a magic spectacle, beautiful as a marvellous dream, flimsy as a vision, compelling as an enchantment.
a Caucasian
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A long, long row of white palaces, with irregular gables, loomed through the mist and the gleam.
