From all around—
Earth and her waters, and the depths of air—
Comes a still voice.
—Bryant.
Their airy ears
The winds have stationed on the mountain peaks.
—Percival.
(4) Of detached portions of matter used as class names; as stones, slates, papers, tins, clouds, mists, etc.
Personification of abstract ideas.
16. Abstract nouns are frequently used as proper names by being personified; that is, the ideas are spoken of as residing in living beings. This is a poetic usage, though not confined to verse.
Next Anger rushed; his eyes, on fire,
In lightnings owned his secret stings.
—Collins.
Freedom's fame finds wings on every wind.—Byron.
Death, his mask melting like a nightmare dream, smiled.—Hayne.
Traffic has lain down to rest; and only Vice and Misery, to prowl or to moan like night birds, are abroad.—Carlyle.
A halfway class of words. Class nouns in use, abstract in meaning.