The Age of Fable
Thomas Bulfinch (1855) · Pre-Reading Vocabulary · prepared by Vocabularium
Match guide. Of this book’s 119,944 words of running text, a reader who knows the 3,000 most common English words can already read 84% — one who knows 6,000 reads 90%. The lists below close most of the remaining gap.
Words Worth Knowing Anywhere
High School (81 words)
deity ×59 Webster 1828
noun
1. Godhead; divinity; the nature and essence of the Supreme Being; as, the deity of the Supreme Being is manifest in his works.
2. God; the Supreme Being, or infinite self-existing Spirit.
3.
“The gods had their separate dwellings; but all, when summoned, repaired to the palace of Jupiter, as did also those deities whose usual abode was the earth, the waters, or the underworld.”
oracle ×52 Webster 1828
Orgal
“The oracle answered, "Depart from the temple with head veiled and garments unbound, and cast behind you the bones of your mother."”
seize ×49 Webster 1828
verb transitive
1. To fall or rush upon suddenly and lay hold on; or to gripe or grasp suddenly. The tiger rushes from the thicket and seizes his prey. A dog seizes an animal by the throat.
“Pandora was seized with an eager curiosity to know what this jar contained; and one day she slipped off the cover and looked in.”
maiden ×49 Webster 1828
noun
1. An unmarried woman, or a young unmarried woman; a virgin.
2. A female servant.
3. It is used in composition, to express the feminine gender, as in maid-servant.
MA'IDEN, noun A maid; also, an instrument for beheading cri…
“Forthwith the god was seized with love for the maiden, and she abhorred the thought of loving.”
vain ×44 Webster 1828
adjective [Latin vanus; Eng. wan, wane, want.]
1. Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance. 1 Peter 1:18.
To your vain answer will you have recourse.
Every man walketh in a vain show.
“Their efforts were all in vain; no dog could run it down; and at last they came to Cephalus to borrow his famous dog, whose name was Lelaps.”
limb ×36 Webster 1828
noun lim. [Latin limbus, edge or border, extremity; limes, limit. The sense of limb is from shooting or extending.]
1. Edge or border.
“Here the goddess of the woods used to come when weary with hunting and lave her virgin limbs in the sparkling water.”
flock ×34 Webster 1828
noun [Latin floccus. It is the same radically as flake, and applied to wool or hair, we write it lock. See Flake.]
1. A company or collection; applied to sheep and other small animals.
“Pan was the god of flocks and shepherds.”
spear ×34 Webster 1828
noun
1. A long pointed weapon, used in war and hunting by thrusting or throwing; a lance.
2. A sharp pointed instrument with barbs; used for stabbing fish and other animals.
3.
“There were no such things as swords, spears, or helmets.”
altar ×28 Webster 1828
noun [Latin altare, probably from the same root as altus, high.
1. A mount; a table or elevated place, on which sacrifices where anciently offered to some deity.
“They entered the temple, deformed as it was with slime, and approached the altar, where no fire burned.”
behold ×28 Webster 1828
verb transitive preterit tense and participle passive beheld' [Latin observo, from servo, to keep.]
1.
“Behold the conquest I have won by means of them over the vast serpent who stretched his poisonous body over acres of the plain!”
slain ×28 Webster 1828
participle passive of slay; so written for slayen. Killed.
“"Thy own hand has slain thee, and for my sake,"”
obey ×26 Webster 1828
verb transitive [Latin obedio; Gr.]
1. To comply with the commands, orders or instructions of a superior, or with the requirements of law, moral, political or municipal; to do that which is commanded or required, or to forbear d…
“They obeyed the call, and took the road to the palace of heaven.”
isle ×25 Webster 1828
ISLE
ILE, noun ile. [Latin insula.]
1. A tract of land surrounded by water, or a detached portion of land embosomed in the ocean, in a lake or river.
The isles shall wait for his law. Isaiah 42:4.
2. A passage in a church.
“and the "Isles of the Blessed."”
mythology ×25 Webster 1828
MYTHOL'OGY,noun [Gr. a fable, and discourse.] A system of fables or fabulous opinions and doctrines respecting the deities which heathen nations have supposed to preside over the world or to influence the affairs of it.
“Those which follow are peculiar to Roman mythology: Saturn was an ancient Italian deity.”
heavenly ×25 Webster 1828
adjective Pertaining to heaven; celestial; as heavenly regions; heavenly bliss.
1. Resembling heaven; supremely excellent; as a heavenly lyre; a heavenly temper.
The love of heaven makes one heavenly
2.
“It is not known whether the creator made him of divine materials, or whether in the earth, so lately separated from heaven, there lurked still some heavenly seeds.”
garment ×25 Webster 1828
noun Any article of clothing, as a coat, a gown, etc. Garments, in the plural, denotes clothing in general; dress.
No man putteth a piece of new cloth to an old garment Matthew 9:16.
“The oracle answered, "Depart from the temple with head veiled and garments unbound, and cast behind you the bones of your mother."”
follower ×24 Webster 1828
noun
1. One who comes, goes or moves after another, in the same course.
2. One that takes another as his guide in doctrines, opinions or example; one who receives the opinions, and imitates the example of another; an adherent; an…
“At a given signal Pan blew on his pipes, and with his rustic melody gave great satisfaction to himself and his faithful follower Midas, who happened to be present.”
gaze ×23 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Gr. to be astonished, and Heb. to see or look, that is, to fix the eye or to reach with the eye.]
To fix the eyes and look steadily and earnestly; to look with eagerness or curiosity; as in admiration, astonish…
“He gave him an upright stature, so that while all other animals turn their faces downward, and look to the earth, he raises his to heaven, and gazes on the stars.”
vengeance ×23 Webster 1828
noun venj'ance. [Latin vindico.]
The infliction of pain on another, in return for an injury or offense.
“But the vengeance of Juno was not yet satiated.”
wandering ×23 Webster 1828
participle present tense Roving; rambling; deviating from duty.
WANDERING, noun
1. Peregrination; a traveling without a settled course.
2. Aberration; mistaken way; deviation from rectitude; as a wandering from duty.
3.
“He is not a wandering deity, but belongs to these mountains.”
conquer ×22 Webster 1828
verb transitive
1. To subdue; to reduce, by physical force, till resistance is no longer made; to overcome; to vanquish. Alexander conquered Asia. The Romans conquered Carthage.
2.
“The heavenly powers who had given both were not willing that either should conquer.”
bind ×22 Webster 1828
verb transitive
1. To tie together, or confine with a cord, or any thing that is flexible; to fasten as with a band, fillet or ligature.
2.
“Sing songs of joy, and bind your forehead with laurel,--you have conquered!”
immortal ×22 Webster 1828
adjective [Latin immortalis. See Mortal.]
1. Having no principle of alteration or corruption; exempt from death; having life or being that shall never end; as an immortal soul.
To the King eternal, immortal invisible, the only…
“to whose immortal eyes The sufferings of mortality, Seen in their sad reality, Were not as things that gods despise; What was thy pity's recompense?”
dwell ×22 Webster 1828
verb intransitive preterit tense dwelled, usually contracted into dwelt. [See Dally.]
1. To abide as a permanent resident, or to inhabit for a time; to live in a place; to have a habitation for some time or permanence.
God shall…
“Their backs are green, their disproportioned bellies white, and in short they are now frogs, and dwell in the slimy pool."”
lin ×21 Webster 1828
verb intransitive To yield. obsolete
LIN, noun A pool or mere. [Not used.]
“The following lines from the "Odyssey"”
heavens ×21 Modern
1. (noun) the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
“Atlas was condemned to bear up the heavens on his shoulders.”
hid ×21 Webster 1828
HID
HI'DAGE, noun [from hide, a quantity of land.] An extraordinary tax formerly paid to the kings of England for every hide of land.
“If any edifice remained standing, it was overwhelmed, and its turrets lay hid beneath the waves.”
brow ×21 Webster 1828
noun [Latin palpebra.. It is probably contracted from brg, and signifies an edge, border or projection.]
1. The prominent ridge over the eye, forming an arch above the orbit.
“Apollo rose, his brow wreathed with Parnassian laurel, while his robe of Tyrian purple swept the ground.”
veil ×20 Webster 1828
noun [Latin velum.
1. A cover; a curtain; something to intercept the view and lude an object.
2. A cover; a disguise. [See Vail.
“The oracle answered, "Depart from the temple with head veiled and garments unbound, and cast behind you the bones of your mother."”
prevail ×19 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin proevaleo; proe, before, and valeo, to be strong or well. Valeo seems to be from the same root as the Eng. well. The primary sense is to stretch or strain forward, to advance.]
1.
“Truth and right prevailed, though not enforced by law, nor was there any magistrate to threaten or punish.”
descend ×19 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin To climb.]
1. To move or pass from a higher to a lower place; to move, come or go downwards; to fall; to sink; to run or flow down; applicable to any kind of motion or of body.
“The last part of the road descends rapidly, and requires most careful driving.”
foe ×18 Webster 1828
noun fo. [See Fiend.]
1. An enemy; one who entertains personal enmity, hatred, grudge or malice against another.
A man's foes shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:36.
2.
“said he, "daughter of Peneus; I am not a foe.”
alas ×18 Webster 1828
exclamation
An exclamation expressive of sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil; sometimes followed by day or while; alas the day, like alack a day; or alas the while, expressing an unhappy time.
“but, alas!”
wander ×18 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [G., to wander to walk, to change, exchange or transform.]
1. To rove; to ramble here and there without any certain course or object in view; as, to wander over the fields; to wander about the town, or about th…
“The old man had been drinking, and in that state wandered away, and was found by some peasants, who carried him to their king, Midas.”
slaughter ×17 Webster 1828
noun slaw'ter [See Slay.]
1. In a general sense, a killing. Applied to men, slaughter usually denotes great destruction of life by violent means; as the slaughter of men in battle.
2.
“The earth was wet with slaughter, and the gods abandoned it, one by one, till Astraea alone was left, and finally she also took her departure.”
herd ×17 Webster 1828
noun
1. A collection or assemblage; applied to beasts when feeding or driven together. We say, a herd of horses, oxen, cattle, camels, elephants, bucks, harts, and in Scripture, a herd of swine.
“Flocks, herds, men, and houses are swept away, and temples, with their sacred enclosures, profaned.”
rite ×17 Webster 1828
noun [Latin ritus.]
The manner of performing divine or solemn service as established by law, precept or custom; formal act of religion, or other solemn duty.
“The goddess, at length, could not bear any longer to be pleaded with for one already dead, and to have hands raised to her altars that ought rather to be offering funeral rites.”
nam ×16 Webster 1913
1. Am not. 2. imp. of
Nim.
“Jupiter, or Jove (Zeus [Footnote: The names included in parentheses are the Greek, the others being the Roman or Latin names] ), though called the father of gods and men, had himself a beginning.”
attendant ×16 Webster 1828
adjective
1. Accompanying; being present, or in the train.
Other suns with their attendant moons.
2. Accompanying, connected with, or immediately following, as consequential; as, intemperance with all its attendant evils.
3.
“Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, was her attendant and messenger.”
endeavor ×16 Webster 1828
noun endev'or. An effort; an essay; an attempt; an exertion of physical strength, or the intellectual powers, towards the attainment of an object.
The bold and sufficient pursue their game with more passion, endeavor and applicat…
“He rushed to the place, and found her bleeding, and with sinking strength endeavoring to draw forth from the wound the javelin, her own gift.”
disguise ×16 Webster 1828
verb transitive disgize.
1. To conceal by an unusual habit, or mask. Men sometimes disguise themselves fro the purpose of committing crimes without danger of detection. They disguise their faces in a masquerade.
2.
“Inachus recognized it, and discovering that his daughter, whom he had long sought in vain, was hidden under this disguise, mourned over her, and, embracing her white neck, exclaimed, "Alas!”
admiration ×16 Webster 1828
noun Wonder mingled with pleasing emotions, as approbation, esteem, love or veneration; a compound emotion excited by something novel, rare, great, or excellent; applied to persons and their works.
“While the daring youth, gazed in admiration, the early Dawn threw open the purple doors of the east, and showed the pathway strewn with roses.”
dwelling ×15 Webster 1828
participle present tense Inhabiting; residing; sojourning; continuing with fixed attention.
DWELL'ING, noun Habitation; place of residence; abode.
Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons. Jeremiah 49:33.
1.
“The gods had their separate dwellings; but all, when summoned, repaired to the palace of Jupiter, as did also those deities whose usual abode was the earth, the waters, or the underworld.”
weary ×15 Webster 1828
adjective
1. Having the strength much exhausted by toil or violent exertion; tired; fatigued. [It should be observed however that this word expresses less than tired, particularly when applied to a beast; as a tired horse.
“The birds fall with weary wing into the water, having found no land for a resting-place.”
thirst ×15 Webster 1828
noun thurst. [Latin torreo.]
1. A painful sensation of the throat or fauces, occasioned by the want of drink.
Wherefore is it that thou hast brought us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? Exodus…
“As she sat alone in the dim light of the evening she descried a lioness, her jaws reeking with recent slaughter, approaching the fountain to slake her thirst.”
exploit ×15 Webster 1828
noun
1. A deed or act; more especially, a heroic act; a deed of renown; a great or noble achievement; as the exploits of Alexander, of Caesar, of Washington. [Exploiture, in a like sense, is not in use.]
2.
“He would have been well pleased to see the exploits of his dogs, but to feel them was too much.”
erect ×15 Webster 1828
adjective [Latin erectus, from erigo, to set upright; e and rego, to stretch or make straight, right, rectus. See Right.]
1. Upright, or in a perpendicular posture; as, he stood erect
2.
“The agile youth sprang into the chariot, stood erect, and grasped the reins with delight, pouring out thanks to his reluctant parent.”
arose ×15 Webster 1828
The past or preterit tense of the verb, to arise.
“When night came and all was still, she arose, and taking the sleeping boy, moulded his limbs with her hands, and uttered over him three times a solemn charm, then went and laid him in the ashes.”
conquest ×14 Webster 1828
noun [The primary sense is to seek, to press or drive towards.]
1. The act of conquering; the act of overcoming or vanquishing opposition by force, physical or moral.
“Behold the conquest I have won by means of them over the vast serpent who stretched his poisonous body over acres of the plain!”
convey ×13 Webster 1828
verb transitive [Latin , to carry; to weigh. See Weigh and Way.]
1. To carry , bear or transport, either by land or water, or in air; as, to convey a letter or a package; to convey goods from England to France.
2.
“There the sun-god embarked in a winged boat, which conveyed him round by the northern part of the earth, back to his place of rising in the east.”
celestial ×13 Webster 1828
adjective
1. Heavenly; belonging or relating to heaven; dwelling in heaven; as celestial spirits; celestial joys. Hence the word conveys the idea of superior excellence, delight, purity, etc.
2.
“He also shod with brass the celestial steeds, which whirled the chariots of the gods through the air, or along the surface of the sea.”
iris ×13 Webster 1828
noun plural irises. [Latin iris iridis, the rainbow.]
1. The rainbow.
2. An appearance resembling the rainbow.
3.
“Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, was her attendant and messenger.”
render ×13 Webster 1828
noun [from rend.] One that tears by violence.
REN'DER, verb transitive [This is probably the Latin reddo, with a casually inserted.]
1. To return; to pay back.
See that none render evil for evil to any man.
“Jupiter gave her to Vulcan, in gratitude for the service he had rendered in forging thunderbolts.”
vine ×13 Webster 1828
noun [Latin vinca. See Wine.]
1. A plant that produces grapes, of the genus Vitis, and of a great number of varieties.
2.
“Opposite was an elm entwined with a vine loaded with swelling grapes.”
furnished ×13 Webster 1828
adjective Supplied; garnished; fitted with necessaries.
“Another story is that Pandora was sent in good faith, by Jupiter, to bless man; that she was furnished with a box, containing her marriage presents, into which every god had put some blessing.”
endure ×13 Webster 1828
verb transitive [Latin durus, duro.]
1. To last; to continue in the same state without perishing; to remain; to abide.
The Lord shall endure forever.
“Then, first, men had to endure the extremes of heat and cold, and houses became necessary.”
renew ×13 Webster 1828
verb transitive [Latin renovo; re and novo, or re and new.]
1. To renovate; to restore to a former state, or to a good state, after decay or depravation; to rebuild; to repair.
Asa renewed the altar of the Lord.
“Jupiter had him chained to a rock on Mount Caucasus, where a vulture preyed on his liver, which was renewed as fast as devoured.”
ruler ×13 Webster 1828
noun
1. One that governs, whether emperor, king, pope or governor; any one that exercises supreme power over others.
2. One that makes or executes laws in a limited or free government.
“But as, in so doing, he transgressed the will of Jupiter, he drew down on himself the anger of the ruler of gods and men.”
robe ×13 Webster 1828
Rabbi
Rap
Rape
Rapier
Reap
Rebellow
Repay
Rib
Rip
Ripe
Ripier
Rob
Roballo
Robbe
Rope
Ropy…
“One day, having repaired thither with her nymphs, she handed her javelin, her quiver, and her bow to one, her robe to another, while a third unbound the sandals from her feet.”
glitter ×13 Webster 1828
verb intransitive
1. To shine; to sparkle with light; to gleam; to be splendid; as a glittering sword.
The field yet glitters with the pomp of war.
2.
“The palace of the Sun stood reared aloft on columns, glittering with gold and precious stones, while polished ivory formed the ceilings, and silver the doors.”
feather ×13 Webster 1828
FEATH'ER-BED
FEATH'ER-DRIVER,
FEATH'ER-FEW, A corruption of feverfew.
“Then like a new-fledged bird that first doth show His spreaded feathers to the morrow chill, I tried in fear the pinions of my will.”
deeds ×13 Modern
1. (noun) performance of moral or religious acts
“If you honor illustrious descent, I claim Jupiter for my father; if mighty deeds, I plead the conquest of the Gorgon.”
banquet ×12 Webster 1828
noun A feast; a rich entertainment of meat and drink. Esther 5:4. Job xli. Amos 6:7.
BAN'QUET, verb transitive To treat with a feast, or rich entertainment.
BAN'QUET, verb intransitive To feast; to regale one's self with good e…
“The gods favored them so highly that they were wont to leave at times their Olympian abodes and go to share their sacrifices and banquets.”
hesitate ×12 Webster 1828
verb intransitive s as z. [Latin haesito, haereo, to hang.]
1. To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be doubtful as to fact, principle or determination; to be in suspense or uncertainty; as, he hesitated whether to…
“While she hesitated she saw the form of one struggling in the agonies of death.”
revive ×12 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin revivisco; re and vivo, to live.]
1. To return to life; to recover life.
The soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 1 Kings 17:22. Romans 14:9.
2.
“Cephalus raised her from the earth, strove to stanch the blood, and called her to revive and not to leave him miserable, to reproach himself with her death.”
wrath ×12 Webster 1828
noun [Latin]
1. Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation; as the wrath of Achilles.
When the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased--Esther 2:1.
O Lord--in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2.
2. The effects of anger.
“The goddess was indignant, but she could not punish him, neither did she wish to do so, for she liked him too well; so she turned all her wrath against her rival, poor Scylla.”
resemble ×12 Webster 1828
verb transitive s as z. [See similar.]
1. To have the likeness of; to bear the similitude of something, either in form, figure or qualities.
“Around him lie dreams, resembling all various forms, as many as the harvest bears stalks, or the forest leaves, or the seashore sand grains.”
mast ×12 Webster 1828
noun A long, round piece of timber, elevated or designed to be raised perpendicularly or nearly so, on the keel of a ship or other vessel, to which the yards, sails and rigging are attached, and by which they are supported.
“Presently the mast is shattered by a stroke of lightning, the rudder broken, and the triumphant surge curling over looks down upon, the wreck, then falls, and crushes it to fragments.”
deed ×12 Webster 1828
noun
1. That which is done, acted or effected; an act; a fact; a word of extensive application, including whatever is done, good or bad, great or small.
And Joseph said to them, what deed is this which ye have done? Gen.
“Witches,--A deed without a name.”
obliged ×11 Webster 1828
participle passive Bound in duty or in law; compelled; constrained; favored; indebted.
“The farmer was obliged to sow the seed and the toiling ox to draw the plough.”
confess ×11 Webster 1828
verb transitive [Latin , to own or acknowledge.]
1. To own, acknowledge or avow, as a crime, a fault, a charge, a debt, or something that is against one's interest, or reputation.
Human faults with human grief confess
I confess t…
“We owe you, we confess, the privilege of transmitting loving words to willing ears."”
accustomed ×11 Webster 1828
participle passive
1. Being familiar by use; habituated; inured.
2. adjective Usual; often practiced; as in their accustomed manner.
“Next morning, when Aurora had put out the stars, and the sun had melted the frost from the grass, they met at the accustomed spot.”
dart ×11 Webster 1828
noun [Gr., a spear or lance.]
1. A pointed missile weapon to be thrown by the hand; a short lance.
2. Any missile weapon; that which pierces and wounds.
And from about her shot darts of desire.
D'ART, verb transitive
1.
“No sooner was the dog let loose than he darted off, quicker than their eye could follow him.”
concealed ×11 Webster 1828
participle passive Kept close or secret; hid; withdrawn from sight; covered.
“Then she stole out after him, and concealed herself in the place where the informer directed her.”
scarce ×11 Webster 1828
adjective
1. Not plentiful or abundant; being in small quantity in proportion to the demand. We say, water is scarce wheat, rye, barley is scarce money is scarce when the quantity is not fully adequate to the demand.
2.
“Atlas faints, and scarce holds up his burden.”
cruelty ×11 Webster 1828
noun [Latin]
1. Inhumanity; a savage or barbarous disposition or temper, which is gratified in giving unnecessary pain or distress to others; barbarity; applied to persons; as the cruelty of savages; the cruelty and envy of the p…
“Remember that the gods punish cruelty, and that Venus hates a hard heart, and will visit such offences sooner or later.”
sorrow ×11 Webster 1828
noun The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good. or of frustrated hopes of good, or expected loss of happiness; to grieve; to be sad.
“The sisters of Meleager mourned their brother with uncontrollable grief; till Diana, pitying the sorrows of the house that once had aroused her anger, turned them into birds.”
roar ×10 Webster 1828
verb intransitive
1. To cry with a full, loud, continued sound; to bellow, as a beast; as a roaring bull; a roaring lion.
2. To cry aloud, as in distress.
The suff'ring chief roar'd out for anguish.
3.
“Or must such minds be nourished in the wild, Deep in the unpruned forest,'midst the roar Of cataracts, where nursing Nature smiled On infant Washington?”
invent ×10 Webster 1828
verb transitive [Latin invenio, inventum; in and venio, to come; literally, to come to, to fall on, to meet, Eng. to find.]
1.
“Mercury is said to have invented the lyre.”
claw ×10 Webster 1828
noun
1. The sharp hooked nail of a beast, bird or other animal.
Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud--ye shall eat.
“Epimetheus accordingly proceeded to bestow upon the different animals the various gifts of courage, strength, swiftness, sagacity; wings to one, claws to another, a shelly covering to a third, etc.”
envy ×10 Webster 1828
verb transitive [Latin invideo, in and video, to see against, that is, to look with enmity.]
1. To feel uneasiness, mortification or discontent, at the sight of superior excellence, reputation or happiness enjoyed by another; to…
“Forthwith there escaped a multitude of plagues for hapless man,--such as gout, rheumatism, and colic for his body, and envy, spite, and revenge for his mind,--and scattered themselves far and wide.”
College (29 words)
serpent ×54 Webster 1828
noun [Latin serpens, creeping; serpo, to creep.]
1. An animal of the order of Serpentes, [creepers, crawlers, ] Of the class of Amphibia.
“"And fabled how the serpent, whom they called Ophion, with Eurynome, (the wide- Encroaching Eve perhaps,) had first the rule Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn driven."”
chariot ×53 Webster 1828
CHARIOT,noun
1. A half coach; a carriage with four wheels and one seat behind, used for convenience and pleasure.
2. A car or vehicle used formerly in war, drawn by two or more horses, and conveying two men each.
“Vulcan was architect, smith, armorer, chariot builder, and artist of all work in Olympus.”
plunge ×25 Webster 1828
verb transitive
1. To thrust into water or other fluid substance, or into any substance that is penetrable; to immerse in a fluid; to drive into flesh, mire or earth, etc.; as, to plunge the body in water; to plunge the arm into…
“said he, and drawing his sword plunged it into his heart.”
dar ×20 Webster 1828
DAR or DART, noun A fish found in the Severn.
“Here Phoebus dares not come, either rising, at midday, or setting.”
slew ×19 Webster 1828
preterit tense of slay.
“Apollo slew him with his arrows--weapons which he had not before used against any but feeble animals, hares, wild goats, and such game.”
divinity ×18 Webster 1828
noun [Latin]
1. The state of being divine; Deity; Godhead; the nature or essence of God. Christians ascribe divinity to one Supreme Being only.
2. God; the Deity; the Supreme Being.
Tis the divinity that stirs within us.
3.
“The so- called divinities of Olympus have not a single worshipper among living men.”
boar ×18 Webster 1828
noun [Latin aper, and verres.] The male of swine not castrated.
“The strength of the wild boar serves him not, nor his swiftness the stag.”
bard ×18 Webster 1828
noun
1. A poet and a singer among the ancient Celts; one whose occupation was to compose and sing verses, in honor of the heroic achievements of princes and brave men.
“alludes to him: "Phillips, Pomona's bard, the second thou Who nobly durst, in rhyme-unfettered verse, With British freedom, sing the British song."”
lofty ×17 Webster 1828
adjective
1. Elevated in place; high; as a lofty tower; a lofty mountain. [But it expresses more than high, or at least is more emphatical, poetical and elegant.]
See lofty Lebanon his head advance.
2.
“So, having resisted as long as he could, Phoebus at last led the way to where stood the lofty chariot.”
inquire ×17 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin inquiro; in and quoero, to seek.]
1. To ask a question; to seek for truth or information by asking questions.
We will call the damsel and inquire at her mouth.
“But as we cannot, let us seek yonder temple, and inquire of the gods what remains for us to do."”
weep ×17 Webster 1828
verb intransitive preterit tense and participle passive wept. Weeped, I believe is never used. [See Whoop. The primary sense is to cry out.]
1. To express sorrow, grief or anguish by outcry. This is the original sense.
“Poor nymph--poor Pan--how he did weep to find Nought but a lovely sighing of the wind Along the reedy stream; a half-heard strain.”
solemn ×17 Webster 1828
adjective sol'em. [Latin solennis, form soleo, to be accustomed, to use, that is, to hold on or continue, as we have wont.]
1. Anniversary; observed once a year with religious ceremonies.
“I call to witness that dreadful lake, which I never saw, but which we gods swear by in our most solemn engagements."”
pierced ×16 Webster 1828
participle passive pers'ed. Penetrated; entered by force; transfixed.
“By his arrows and torch he pierced and vivified all things, producing life and joy.”
ox ×16 Webster 1828
noun plural oxen. pronoun ox'n.
The male of the bovine genus of quadrupeds, castrated and grown to his size or nearly so. The young male is called in America a steer. The same animal not castrated is called a bull.
“The farmer was obliged to sow the seed and the toiling ox to draw the plough.”
fleece ×16 Webster 1828
noun flees. [Latin vellus, from vello, to pluck or tear off.]
The coat of wool shorn from a sheep at one time.
FLEECE, verb transitive
1. To shear off a covering or growth of wool.
2.
“There you will find sheep feeding without a shepherd, with golden-shining fleeces on their backs.”
rejoice ×15 Webster 1828
verb intransitive rejois'.
To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth…
“There the inhabitants divine rejoice Forever"--Cowper.”
ode ×14 Webster 1828
noun [Latin ode; Gr.] A short poem or song; a poetical composition proper to be set to music or sung; a lyric poem.
“Thus Gray, in his ode on the "Progress of Poesy,"”
perish ×14 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin pereo, supposed to be compounded of per and eo, to go; literally, to depart wholly.]
1. To die; to lose life in any manner; applied to animals.
“The clouds, driven together, resound with a crash; torrents of rain fall; the crops are laid low; the year's labor of the husbandman perishes in an hour.”
reins ×14 Webster 1828
noun plural [Latin ren, renes.]
1. The kidneys; the lower part of the back.
2. In Scripture, the inward parts; the heart, or seat of the affections and passions. Psalms 73:21.
“I can scarcely govern them myself, when they are unruly and resist the reins.”
perished ×14 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin pereo, supposed to be compounded of per and eo, to go; literally, to depart wholly.]
1. To die; to lose life in any manner; applied to animals.
“Great cities perished, with their walls and towers; whole nations with their people were consumed to ashes!”
winged ×12 Webster 1828
participle passive
1. Furnished with wings; transported by flying.
2. adjective Having wings; as a winged fowl. Genesis 1:21.
3. Swift; rapid; as with winged haste.
4. Wounded; hurt.
5.
“There the sun-god embarked in a winged boat, which conveyed him round by the northern part of the earth, back to his place of rising in the east.”
dashed ×12 Webster 1828
participle passive Struck violently; driven against; bruised, broken or scattered by collision; besprinkled; mixed or adulterated; erased, blotted out; broken; cast down; confounded; abashed.
“As they were not at hand, she dashed the water into the face of the intruder, adding these words: "Now go and tell, if you can, that you have seen Diana unapparelled."”
wreath ×11 Webster 1828
noun [See Writhe.]
1. To twist; to convolve; to wind one about another; as, to wreath a garland of flowers.
2. To interweave; to entwine; as chains of wreathed work.
3.
“The heads of the Furies were wreathed with serpents, and their whole appearance was terrific and appalling.”
haste ×11 Webster 1828
noun
1. Celerity of motion; speed; swiftness; dispatch; expedition; applied only to voluntary beings, as men and other animals; never to other bodies.
“Mercury made haste, put his winged slippers on his feet, and cap on his head, took his sleep-producing wand, and leaped down from the heavenly towers to the earth.”
alarmed ×11 Webster 1828
participle passive Notified of sudden danger; surprised with fear; roused to vigilance or activity by apprehension of approaching danger; solicitous at the prospect or expectation of evil.
“He is alarmed, and knows not how to guide them; nor, if he knew, has he the power.”
traveller ×11 Modern
1. (noun) a person who changes location
“On one occasion as he was travelling with his wife, they came to a river, across which the Centaur Nessus carried travellers for a stated fee.”
slay ×11 Webster 1828
verb transitive preterit tense slew; participle passive slain. [The proper sense is to strike, and as beating was an early mode of killing, this word, like smite, came to signify to kill.
“Ye who slay me unoffending, when I am no more, your time of trembling shall come.”
strife ×10 Webster 1828
noun [See Strive.]
1. Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts.
“Next came the Brazen Age, more savage of temper, and readier to the strife of arms, yet not altogether wicked.”
illustrious ×10 Webster 1828
adjective [Latin illustris.]
1. Conspicuous; distinguished by the reputation of greatness; renowned; eminent; as an illustrious general or magistrate; an illustrious prince.
2.
“Along the road stand the palaces of the illustrious gods; the common people of the skies live apart, on either side.”
Rare & Period Words
became ×84 Webster 1828
preterit tense of become [See Become.]
“Under the reign of Popery the island became the seat of a nunnery, the ruins of which are still seen.”
alludes ×64 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin alludo, to smile upon or make sport with of ad and ludo, to play.]
To refer to something not directly mentioned; to have reference; to hint at by remote suggestions; as, that story alludes to a recent tr…
“Wordsworth thus alludes to the worship of the Persians: "...”
nymphs ×37 Webster 1828
noun
1. In mythology, a goddess of the mountains, forests, meadows and waters. According to the ancients, all the world was full of nymphs, some terrestrial, others celestial; and these had names assigned to them according to the…
“The chief nymphs are the Rhine-daughters, Flosshilda, Woglinda, and Wellgunda.”
nymph ×32 Webster 1828
noun
1. In mythology, a goddess of the mountains, forests, meadows and waters. According to the ancients, all the world was full of nymphs, some terrestrial, others celestial; and these had names assigned to them according to the…
“This was of old, in no inglorious days, The mode of spinning, when the Egyptian prince A golden distaff gave that beauteous nymph, Too beauteous Helen; no uncourtly gift."”
lyre ×28 Webster 1828
noun [Latin lyra.] A stringed instrument of music, a kind of harp much used by the ancients.
“See also the same poet's "Occupation of Orion"-- "The Samian's great Aeolian lyre."”
exclaimed ×27 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin exclamo; ex and clamo, to cry out. See Claim, Clamor.]
1. To utter the voice with vehemence; to cry out; to make a loud outcry in words; as, to exclaim against oppression; to exclaim with wonder or aston…
“exclaimed the woman, "have all things sworn to spare Baldur?"”
allusion ×26 Webster 1828
noun alluzhun. [Latin See Allude.]
A reference to something not explicitly mentioned; a hint; a suggestion, by which something is applied or understood to belong to that which is not mentioned, by means of some similitude which…
“See this last allusion explained in Chapter XXVII.”
hastened ×25 Webster 1828
participle passive Moved rapidly; accelerated; urged with speed.
“His mother, Venus, sent two of her doves to fly before him and show him the way, and by their assistance he found the tree, plucked the branch, and hastened back with it to the Sibyl.”
proverbial ×25 Webster 1828
PROVERB'IAL,adjective Mentioned in a proverb; as a proverbial cure or remedy.
In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst in the world.
1.
“Having found him, [Footnote: See Proverbial Expressions.] he rode round him in a circle, throwing one javelin after another, while Aeneas stood fenced with his shield, turning every way to meet them.”
beheld ×25 Webster 1828
preterit tense and participle passive of behold, which see.
“But when Loki beheld the scene he was sorely vexed that Baldur was not hurt.”
inhabitants ×23 Webster 1828
noun A dweller; one who dwells or resides permanently in a place, or who has a fixed residence, as distinguished from an occasional lodger or visitor; as the inhabitant of a house or cottage; the inhabitants of a town, city, coun…
“Columba, the apostle of the Highlands, by whom the inhabitants of that district were first led to profess Christianity.”
dwelt ×21 Webster 1913
1. of
Dwell.
“These people dwelt originally near the Cyclopes; but being oppressed by that savage race, they migrated to the isle of Scheria, under the conduct of Nausithous, their king.”
destined ×21 Webster 1828
participle passive Ordained; appointed by previous determination; devoted; fixed unalterably.
“The heroes are children of the gods, but also mingled with a mortal strain; they are destined to become at last the highest race of all, and to succeed the gods in the government of the world.”
suitors ×20 Webster 1828
noun One that sues or prosecutes a demand of right in law, as a plaintiff, petitioner or appellant.
1. One who attends a court, whether plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, appellant, witness, juror and the like.
“The suitors, in amazement, looked round for arms, but found none, neither was there any way of escape, for Eumaeus had secured the door.”
abode ×19 Webster 1828
preterit tense of abide
ABO'DE, noun [See Abide.]
1. Stay; continuance in a place; residence for a longer or shorter time.
2. A place of continuance; a dwelling; a habitation.
3.
“Asgard is the name of the abode of the gods, access to which is only gained by crossing the bridge Bifrost (the rainbow).”
javelin ×19 Webster 1828
, noun A sort of spear about five feet and a half long, the shaft of which was of wood, but pointed with steel; used by horse or foot. Every Roman soldier carried seven javelins.
“Intent on the chase she observed not her danger, and the javelin of Aruns struck her and inflicted a fatal wound.”
hung ×18 Webster 1828
verb transitive preterit tense and participle passive hanged or hung.
1. To suspend; to fasten to some fixed object above, in such a manner as to swing or move; as, to hang a thief. Pharaoh hanged the chief baker. Hence,
2.
“Lately being in the temple of Juno, at Argos, I recognized my shield hung up there among the trophies.”
plough ×16 Webster 1828
PLOUGH. [See Plow.]
“Isis showed them first the use of wheat and barley, and Osiris made the instruments of agriculture and taught men the use of them, as well as how to harness the ox to the plough.”
endowed ×15 Webster 1828
participle passive Furnished with a portion of estate; having dower settled on; supplied with a permanent fund; indued.
“One author, Pennant, says, "The Bards were supposed to be endowed with powers equal to inspiration.”
countenance ×15 Webster 1828
noun [Latin , to hold.]
1. Literally, the contents of a body; the outline and extent which constitutes the whole figure or external appearance.
“She may easily be recognized, for her body is half flesh color and half blue, and she has a dreadfully stern and forbidding countenance.”
steeds ×14 Webster 1828
noun A horse, or a horse for state or war. [This word is not much used in common discourse. It is used in poetry and descriptive prose, and is elegant.]
Stout are our men, and warlike are our steeds.
“It may be thus translated--"Then struck the hoofs of the steeds on the ground with a four-footed trampling."--See Proverbial Expressions.] having sent back the rest of his party in the ships.”
hurled ×14 Webster 1828
participle passive Thrown with violence.
“The first is a hammer, which both the Frost and the Mountain giants know to their cost, when they see it hurled against them in the air, for it has split many a skull of their fathers and kindred.”
splendor ×13 Webster 1828
noun [Latin See Plant and Planet.]
1. Great brightness; brilliant luster; as the splendor of the sun.
2. Great show of richness and elegance; magnificence; as the splendor of equipage or of royal robes.
3.
“But what trace or mark shall point out the perpetrator from amidst the vast multitude attracted by the splendor of the feast?”
box ×13 Webster 1828
noun [Lat. buxus, the tree, and pyxis, a box; Gr. a box and the tree.]
A coffer or chest, either of wood or metal.
“His wife, Iduna, keeps in a box the apples which the gods, when they feel old age approaching, have only to taste of to become young again.”
bosom ×13 Webster 1828
noun s as z.
1. The breast of a human being and the parts adjacent.
2. The folds or covering of clothes about the breast.
Put thy hand in thy bosom Exodus 4:6.
3.
“While he spoke the sword fell, and pierced the comely bosom of Euryalus.”
thrice ×13 Webster 1828
adverb [from three; perhaps three, and Latin vice.]
1. Three times.
Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice Matthew 26:34.
2.
“568: "Like those Hesperian gardens famed of old, Fortunate fields and groves and flowery vales, Thrice happy isles."”
oars ×13 Webster 1828
noun An instrument for rowing boats, being a piece of timber round or square at one end, and flat at the other.
“The Trojans plied their oars and soon left them out of sight.”
thence ×12 Webster 1828
adverb thens.
1. From that place.
When you depart thence shake off the dust of your feet. Mark 6:1.
It is more usual, though not necessary, to use from before thence
Then will I send and fetch thee from thence Genesis 27:9.
2.
“The soul passes hither and thither, occupying now this body, now that, passing from the body of a beast into that of a man, and thence to a beast's again.”
proud ×12 Webster 1828
adjective
1. Having inordinate self-esteem; possessing a high or unreasonable conceit of one's own excellence, either of body or mind.
“Such discourse brought them to the cottage of poor Evander, whence they saw the lowing herds roaming over the plain where now the proud and stately Forum stands.”
aloft ×12 Webster 1828
adverb [a and loft. See Loft and Luff.]
1. On high; in the air; high above the ground; as, the eagle soars aloft
2. In seamen's language, in the top; at the mast head; or on the higher yards or rigging.
“She ascended it, and borne aloft made her way to distant regions, where potent plants grew which she knew how to select for her purpose.”
yonder ×12 Webster 1828
YOND, YONDER adjective [G.] Being at a distance within view.
Yonder men are too many for an embassy.
Read thy lot in yon celestial sign.
Yon flowery arbors, YONDER alleys green.
YON, YOND, YONDER, adverb At a distance within vi…
“She replied, "Baldur hath ridden over Gyoll's bridge, and yonder lieth the way he took to the abodes of death"”
besought ×12 Webster 1828
besaut'. participle passive of beseech. Entreated; implored; sought by entreaty.
“The next morning he besought Hela to let Baldur ride home with him, assuring her that nothing but lamentations were to be heard among the gods.”
alluded ×11 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin alludo, to smile upon or make sport with of ad and ludo, to play.]
To refer to something not directly mentioned; to have reference; to hint at by remote suggestions; as, that story alludes to a recent tr…
“The prediction above alluded to is contained in the closing lines of the "Metamorphoses,"”
devoured ×11 Webster 1828
participle passive Eaten; swallowed with greediness; consumed; destroyed; wasted; slain.
“In the first, Loki, like hunger itself, devoured all that was set before him, but Logi was in reality nothing else than Fire, and therefore consumed not only the meat, bat the trough which held it.”
kindred ×11 Webster 1828
noun [from kin, kind.]
1. Relation by birth; consanguinity.
Like her, of equal kindred to the throne.
2. Relation by marriage; affinity.
3.
“The first is a hammer, which both the Frost and the Mountain giants know to their cost, when they see it hurled against them in the air, for it has split many a skull of their fathers and kindred.”
forbade ×11 Webster 1913
1. imp. of
Forbid.
“But Pallas forbade the solemnities to be interrupted, and seizing a weapon, stepped forward to the river's bank.”
lifeless ×11 Webster 1828
adjective
1. Dead; deprived of life; as a lifeless body.
2. Destitute of life; unanimated; as lifeless matter.
3. Destitute of power, force, vigor or spirit; dull; heavy; inactive.
4. Void of spirit; vapid; as liquor.
5.
“she added, "all things in the world, both living and lifeless, weep for him, then shall he return to life; but if any one thing speak against him or refuse to weep, he shall be kept in Hel."”
repose ×11 Webster 1828
verb transitive s as z. [Latin repono, reposui.]
1. To lay at rest.
- After the toil of battle, to repose your wearied virtue.
2.
“They are characterized by grave and dignified beauty, and freedom from any transient expression, which in the language of art is called repose.”
worshippers ×10 Modern
1. (noun) a person who has religious faith 2. (noun) someone who admires too much to recognize faults
“The name by which those who submitted to the rule were known was that of Culdees, probably from the Latin "cultores Dei"--worshippers of God.”
mariners ×10 Webster 1828
noun [Latin mare, the sea.] A seaman or sailor; one whose occupation is to assist in navigating ships.
“This blissful region may have been wholly imaginary, but possibly may have sprung from the reports of some storm-driven mariners who had caught a glimpse of the coast of America.”
adorned ×10 Webster 1828
participle passive Decked; decorated; embellished.
“The throne was of cedar, adorned with gold and precious stones.”
headlong ×10 Webster 1828
adverb hed'long. With the head foremost; as, to fall headlong
1. Rashly; precipitately; without deliberation.
--He hurries headlong to his fate.
2. Hastily; without delay or respite.
HEADLONG, adjective hed'long.
“When she saw the sight there presented, she would have thrown herself headlong from the wall, but fainted and fell into the arms of her maidens.”
mingled ×10 Webster 1828
participle passive Mixed; united promiscuously.
“The heroes are children of the gods, but also mingled with a mortal strain; they are destined to become at last the highest race of all, and to succeed the gods in the government of the world.”
trembled ×10 Webster 1828
verb intransitive [Latin tremo.]
1. To shake involuntarily, as with fear, cold or weakness; to quake; to quiver; to shiver; to shudder.
Frighted Turnus trembled as he spoke.
2.
“O my son, how have I trembled for you as I have watched your career!"”
lamentations ×10 Webster 1828
noun [Latin lamentatio.]
1. Expression of sorrow; cries of grief; the act of bewailing.
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping. Matthew 2:18.
2.
“The next morning he besought Hela to let Baldur ride home with him, assuring her that nothing but lamentations were to be heard among the gods.”
basilisk ×10 Webster 1828
noun s as z. [Latin basiliscus.]
1. A fabulous serpent, called a cockatrice, and said to be produced from a cock's egg brooded by a serpent.
“Be thou like the imperial basilisk, Killing thy foe with unapparent wounds!”
mallet ×10 Webster 1828
noun [Latin malleus.] A wooden hammer or instrument for beating, or for driving pins; particularly used in carpentry, for driving the chisel.
“A little before daybreak he perceived that Skrymir was again fast asleep, and again grasping his mallet, he dashed it with such violence that it forced its way into the giant's skull up to the handle.”
bestowed ×9 Webster 1828
participle present tense Given gratuitously; conferred; laid out; applied; deposited for safe-keeping.
“Odin then gave them life and soul, Vili reason and motion, and Ve bestowed upon them the senses, expressive features, and speech.”
draught ×9 Webster 1828
noun Draft. [from draw, drag.]
1. The act of drawing; as a horse or ox fit for draught
2. The quality of being drawn; as a cart of plow of easy draught
3.
“But at a hunting banquet Siegfried is given another magic draught, remembers all, and is slain by Hagan by a blow in the back, as he calls on Brunhild's name in love.”
girdle ×9 Webster 1828
noun
1. A band or belt; something drawn round the waist of a person, and tied or buckled; as a girdle of fine lines; a leathern girdle
2. Inclosure; circumference.
3. The zodiac.
4. A round iron plate for baking.
5.
“That goddess had arrayed herself in all her charms, and to crown all had borrowed of Venus her girdle, called "Cestus,"”
hapless ×9 Webster 1828
adjective Luckless; unfortunate; unlucky; unhappy; as hapless youth; hapless maid.
“Her temper grew as ugly as her form, and she took pleasure in devouring hapless mariners who came within her grasp.”
feeble ×9 Webster 1828
adjective [I know not the origin of the first syllable.]
1. Weak; destitute of much physical strength; as, infants are feeble at their birth.
2. Infirm; sickly; debilitated by disease.
3.
“replied Frigga, "except one little shrub that grows on the eastern side of Valhalla, and is called Mistletoe, and which I thought too young and feeble to crave an oath from."”
sped ×9 Webster 1828
preterit tense and participle passive of speed.
“With ease he adjusted the cord to its notch, then fitting an arrow to the bow he drew the string and sped the arrow unerring through the rings.”
displeasure ×9 Webster 1828
noun Displezhur.
1. Some irritation or uneasiness of the mind, occasioned by any thing that counteracts desire or command, or which opposes justice and a sense of propriety.
“But having incurred the displeasure of the gods they were driven by storms from shore to shore of the Mediterranean, visiting Cyprus, Phoenicia, and Egypt.”
bade ×9 Webster 1828
BADE, the past tense of bid. [See Bid.]
“Utgard-Loki bade his cup-bearer bring the large horn which his followers were obliged to empty when they had trespassed in any way against the law of the feast.”
astonished ×9 Webster 1828
participle passive Amazed; confounded with fear, surprise, or admiration.
“All were astonished, and viewed their guest with greatly increased respect.”
propitious ×9 Webster 1828
adjective [Latin propitius.] Favorable; kind; applied to men.
1. Disposed to be gracious or merciful; ready to forgive sins and bestow blessings; applied to God.
2. Favorable; as a propitious season.
“His sister Freya is the most propitious of the goddesses.”
ensued ×9 Webster 1828
verb transitive [Latin sequor, to follow. See Seek.]
To follow; to pursue.
Seek peace, and ensue it.
“Another battle ensued, in which Camilla, the virgin warrior, was chiefly conspicuous.”
abodes ×8 Webster 1828
preterit tense of abide
ABO'DE, noun [See Abide.]
1. Stay; continuance in a place; residence for a longer or shorter time.
2. A place of continuance; a dwelling; a habitation.
3.
“She replied, "Baldur hath ridden over Gyoll's bridge, and yonder lieth the way he took to the abodes of death"”
bestow ×8 Webster 1913
1. To lay up in store; to
deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place; to put. 2. To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength
in some occupation. 3. To expend, as money. 4. To give or confer; to impart; -- with on or
upon.
“After he had thus made the valley of the Nile a happy country, he assembled a host with which he went to bestow his blessings upon the rest of the world.”
workmanship ×8 Webster 1828
noun
1. Manufacture; something made, particularly by manual labor. Exodus 31:3.
2. That which is effected, made or produced. Ephesians 2:10.
3. The skill of a workman; or the execution or manner of making any thing.
“He opened his treasuries and took out rich garments and cloths, with ten talents in gold and two splendid tripods and a golden cup of matchless workmanship.”
astonishment ×8 Webster 1828
noun Amazement; confusion of mind from fear, surprise or admiration, at an extraordinary or unexpected event.
“The enormous size of the stones struck the gods with astonishment, and they saw clearly that the horse did one-half more of the toilsome work than his master.”
quiver ×8 Webster 1828
noun
A case or sheath for arrows.
Take the quiver and thy bow. Genesis 27:3.
QUIV'ER, adjective Nimble; active. [Not in use.]
QUIV'ER, verb intransitive
1. To shake or tremble; to quake; to shudder; to shiver.
“The left hand is extended over the forehead of the Hind, which runs by her side, the right arm reaches backward over the shoulder to draw an arrow from the quiver.”
fastened ×8 Webster 1828
participle passive Made firm or fast; fixed firmly; impressed.
“It is a standing figure, in marble, more than seven feet high, naked except for the cloak which is fastened around the neck and hangs over the extended left arm.”
whereupon ×8 Webster 1828
adverb Upon which.
The townsmen mutinied and sent to Essex, whereupon he came thither.
“Whereupon Hermod, surnamed the Nimble, the son of Odin, offered to undertake the journey.”
vigor ×8 Webster 1828
Vaccary
Vagary
Vicar
Villager
Villagery
Voyager
“When he has gained sufficient confidence in his own vigor, he takes up the body of his father and flies with it to the altar of the Sun, where he leaves it to be consumed in flames of fragrance."”
cavern ×8 Webster 1828
noun A deep hollow place in the earth. In general, it differs from cave in greater depth, and in being applied most usually to natural hollows, or chasms.
Earth with its caverns dark and deep.
“As the messengers were returning, they found an old hag named Thaukt sitting in a cavern, and begged her to weep Baldur out of Hel.”
fable ×8 Webster 1828
noun [Latin , Gr. The radical sense is that which is spoken or told.]
1. A feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept.
Jothams fable of the trees…
“The former of the two following is to the fable of Castor and Pollux; the latter is more appropriate to our present subject.”
twas ×8 Webster 1828
a contraction of it was.
“'Twas then that Aodh, famed afar, In lona preached the word with power, And Reullura, beauty's star, Was the partner of his bower."”
solemnities ×8 Webster 1828
noun
1. A rite or ceremony annualy performed with religious reverence. Great was the cause; our old solemnities from no blind zeal or fond tradition rise, but sav'd from death, our Arguves yearly pay these grateful honors to the…
“INFANT ROME When the solemnities were ended all moved towards the city.”
ere ×8 Webster 1828
adverb Before; sooner than.
ERE sails were spread new oceans to explore.
The nobleman saith to him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
“The pure Culdees Were Albyn's earliest priests of God, Ere yet an island of her seas By foot of Saxon monk was trod, Long ere her churchmen by bigotry Were barred from holy wedlock's tie.”
smote ×8 Webster 1828
preterit tense of smite.
“While they contested, Juno herself, descending from the skies, smote the doors with irresistible force, and burst them open.”
reverence ×8 Webster 1828
noun [Latin reverentia.]
1. Fear mingled with respect and esteem; veneration.
When quarrels and factions are carried openly, it is a sign that the reverence of government is lost.
The fear acceptable to God, is a filial fear, an…
“When the unicorn spied her, he approached with all reverence, couched beside her, and laying his head in her lap, fell asleep.”
valor ×8 Webster 1828
noun [Latin valor valeo, to be strong, to be worth.]
Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; intrepidity; prowess.
When valor preys on…
“Her deeds of valor surpassed those of the bravest warriors, and many Trojans and Etruscans fell pierced with her darts or struck down by her battle-axe.”
caldron ×8 Webster 1828
noun A large kettle or boiler, of copper, or other metal, furnished with a movable handle or bail, with which to hang it on a chimney hook.
“The following lines are those which seem most strikingly to recall the ancient model: "Round about the caldron go; In the poisoned entrails throw.”
despatched ×8 Webster 1828
[See Dispatch.]
“The gods upon this despatched messengers throughout the world to beg everything to weep in order that Baldur might be delivered from Hel.”
trod ×7 Webster 1828
preterit tense of tread.
TROD
“The pure Culdees Were Albyn's earliest priests of God, Ere yet an island of her seas By foot of Saxon monk was trod, Long ere her churchmen by bigotry Were barred from holy wedlock's tie.”
zephyr ×7 Webster 1828
noun [Latin , Gr.] The west wind; and peotically, any soft, mild, gentle breeze. The poets personify Zephyrus, and make him the most mild and gentle of all the sylvan deities.
Mild as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes.
“So, calling Zephyr, she acquainted him with her husband's commands, and he, promptly obedient, soon brought them across the mountain down to their sister's valley.”
avenging ×7 Webster 1828
participle present tense Executing vengeance; taking satisfaction for an injury by the punishment of the offender; vindicating.
“An iron tower stood by the gate, on which Tisiphone, the avenging Fury, kept guard.”
prophetic ×7 Webster 1828
PROPHET'IC
PROPHET'ICAL, adjective Containing prophecy; foretelling future events; as prophetic writings.
1.
“No nightly trance or breathed spell Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell"”
forthwith ×7 Webster 1828
adverb [forth and with.] Immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received his sight forthwith Acts 9:18.
“said Utgard-Loki, "if thou performest what thou promisest, and it shall be tried forthwith."”
brazen ×7 Webster 1828
adjective brazn. Made of brass; as a brazen helmet.
1. Pertaining to brass; proceeding from brass; as a brazen din.
2.
“At this moment with horrid clang the brazen gates unfolded, and Aeneas saw within a Hydra with fifty heads guarding the entrance.”
prostrate ×7 Webster 1828
adjective [Latin prostratus, from prosterno, to lay flat; pro and sterno.]
1. Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface.
Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire.
2.
“They fell prostrate at his feet, as if a lightning bolt had struck them.”
stag ×7 Webster 1828
noun [This word belongs to the root of stick, stage, stock. The primary sense is to thrust, hence to fix, to stay, etc.]
1. The male red deer; the male of the hind.
2. A colt or filly; also, a romping girl. [Local.]
3.
“She sharpened the scent of the dogs, and led them to rouse up from the thicket a tame stag, the favorite of Silvia, the daughter of Tyrrheus, the king's herdsman.”
warlike ×7 Webster 1828
adjective [war and like.]
1. Fit for war; disposed for war; as a warlike state.
Old Siward with ten thousand warlike men.
2. Military; pertaining to war; as warlike toil.
3. Having a martial appearance.
4.
“THE VALKYRIE The Valkyrie are warlike virgins, mounted upon horses and armed with helmets and spears.”
ardor ×7 Webster 1828
noun [Latin]
1. Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays.
2. Warmth, or heat, applied to the passions and affections; eagerness; as, he pursues study with ardor; they fought with ardor
Milton uses the word for p…
“Then exhorting the troops to do their best he dismissed them full of ardor to the fight.”