used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
consider or hold as true
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
AiryadjectiveUS /ˈeri/
open to or abounding in fresh air
From this reading “Impostor!” said Edmund Airy, turning upon Brian.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
AtlanticnounUS /ətˈlæntɪk/
the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
basesnounUS /ˈbeɪsəz/
plural of “base” — installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
billowedverbUS /ˈbɪloʊd/
past form of “billow” — rise up as if in waves
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
Brian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
of short duration or distance
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
crashingadjectiveUS /ˈkræʃɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
cutsnounUS /kʌts/
plural of “cut” — a share of the profits
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
Edmund
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Impostor!” said Edmund Airy, turning upon Brian.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
set up or found
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
ImpostornounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːstər/
a person who makes deceitful pretenses
From this reading “Impostor!” said Edmund Airy, turning upon Brian.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
Innisfail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
loughnounUS /laʊ/
a long narrow (nearly landlocked) cove in Ireland
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
many-fingered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
become covered with mist
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
the light of the Moon
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
not any; not one
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
ridgesnounUS /ˈrɪdʒəz/
plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Impostor!” said Edmund Airy, turning upon Brian.
saturatedadjectiveUS /ˈsætʃəreɪtɪd/
being the most concentrated solution possible at a given temperature; unable to dissolve still more of a substance
From this reading A mist saturated with moonlight had drifted into the lough from the Atlantic.
searedadjectiveUS /sɪrd/
having the surface burned quickly with intense heat
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
having a supporting base
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading “Impostor!” said Edmund Airy, turning upon Brian.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Impostor!” said Edmund Airy, turning upon Brian.
precisely as stated
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading It billowed below their eyes along the surface of the water, and crawled along the seared faces of the cliffs, but no cold fingers of the many-fingered mist clasped the higher ridges.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The sound of the crashing of the unseen waves about the bases of the cliffs filled the air, but there was no other sound.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN a space of time that was very brief, owing to the resolution with which Lady Innisfail declined to accept the suggestion of short cuts by Brian, the whole party found themselves standing breathless at the beginning of the line of cliffs.
