used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
arrayedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪd/
in ceremonial attire and paraphernalia
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One of the men now came out, and Mr B---- descended into the grave.
clay-cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading One of the men now came out, and Mr B---- descended into the grave.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
face-cloth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
death of a person
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
lidnounUS /lɪd/
either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
held up in the air
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
the force of workers available
From this reading One of the men now came out, and Mr B---- descended into the grave.
moilverb
work hard
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
a form of address for a man
From this reading One of the men now came out, and Mr B---- descended into the grave.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the men now came out, and Mr B---- descended into the grave.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One of the men now came out, and Mr B---- descended into the grave.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
placiditynoun
a feeling of calmness; a quiet and undisturbed feeling
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
scallopedadjectiveUS /ˈskɑːləpt/
having a margin with rounded scallops
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
screw-nails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
sere-clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
sextonnounUS /ˈsekstən/
United States poet (1928-1974)
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
shroudsnounUS /ʃraʊdz/
plural of “shroud” — a line that suspends the harness from the canopy of a parachute
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
sicklyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkli/
unhealthy looking
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
not in physical motion
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The sexton now took his own lamp down into the grave.
having come into contact
From this reading He lifted off the face-cloth, gazed on the clay-cold face, touched it, and now was opened the "Sacred source of sympathetic tears."
undoneadjectiveUS /ənˈdʌn/
not done
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The heavy moil that shrouds the dead" was entirely removed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
winding-sheetnoun
burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
in the company of; together with
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
wreathnounUS /riːθ/
flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The screw-nails were undone, the lid was raised, and the body of Mrs B----, arrayed in her winding-sheet and scalloped sere-clothes, was seen, by the sickly, yellow gleam of the lantern, lying in the stillness and placidity of death-- "For still, still she lay, With a wreath on her bosom."
