Emily Dickinson Lexicon

singe (-th), v. [OE; see sing, v.]

Scorch; sear lightly; strike with fire; burn superficially with an electric charge; [fig.] hiss; sizzle; zap; make a sibilant noise; [word play on the verb “sing”] thunder; resound; rumble; reverberate; make a loud low noise; [metaphor] preach; prophesy; speak from the heavens.

singing, verbal n. [see sing, v.]

Chanting; emitting clear musical notes; [fig.] aria; recitative; opera audition.

single, adj. [OFr < L. 'one, individual, separate'.] (webplay: single star).

1. Isolated; separate; [fig.] celibate; unwed; not married; without a mate; having no lifelong companion.
2. Unique; special; outstanding; singular; one of a kind; consisting of one only.
3. Solitary; standing alone; [fig.] lonely.
4. Particular; specific; one and only.
5. Simple; sole; unitary; basic; uncomplicated.
6. Orphaned; abandoned; neglected; left alone.
7. One of many; separated from others; distinct from the rest.
8. Elemental; fundamental; ultimate; primal; crucial; [fig.] peculiar; strange.
9. One in number; not plural or double.
10. Pure; clear; elegant; refined; superior; [fig.] extraordinary.
11. Identical; inseparable; one and the same.
12. Individual; solo; without harmony; having one voice part; separate from the whole choir; (word play on “sing”) singing; musical; birdsong; [fig.] poetical; lyrical.
13. Phrase. “a single”: any; just one.

single, n. [see single, adj.]

Only one; one of a kind; [fig.] soul-mate; loyal friend; faithful companion.

sinister, adj. [OFr or L. 'left, left-hand'.]

Evil; deceiving.

sink (-s, sank), v. [OE sincan.]

1. Decline; recline; lie down to rest; [fig.] expire; die; repose in death.
2. Die; perish; pass away; fall in death.
3. Descend; float downward.
4. Diminish; wane; shrink; go down; lose strength; decrease in stature.
5. Founder; drop down; settle into the water.
6. Go down; become lower; seem to descend in the sky.

sinking, verbal a. [see sink, v.]

Drowning; submerged in water until dead.

sinking, verbal n. [see sink, v.]

Descending; slipping down; dropping away; falling by the force of gravity.

sip (-s), n. [see sip, v.]

Nip; dram; draught; little drink; small quantity of liquid taken by mouth.

sip (sipped), v. [Obscure origin; possible < “sup.”]

1. Draw; pull in; breathe in by mouth; inhale small amounts at a time; [fig.] savor; taste; relish.
2. Imbibe; absorb; take in; partake of; [fig.] enjoy; assimilate; experience the essence of.
3. Drink; sample; take a taste; try a small quantity at a time; [fig.] kiss.