used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
a line of approach
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
brackishadjectiveUS /ˈbrækɪʃ/
distasteful and unpleasant; spoiled by mixture
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
canopynounUS /ˈkæn.ə.pi/
An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The storm was over, and the rain had ceased.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
cloudlessadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdləs/
free from clouds
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
coombs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
at any time
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
flavours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The storm was over, and the rain had ceased.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
become covered with mist
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
moorverbUS /mʊr/
secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
a brief written record
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
and nothing more
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The storm was over, and the rain had ceased.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The storm was over, and the rain had ceased.
retreatednounUS /riˈtriːtəd/
people who have retreated
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
uttered with a trill
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
shinglenounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəl/
building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
shriller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
stonyadjectiveUS /ˈstoʊni/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The storm was over, and the rain had ceased.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
thunderedverbUS /ˈθʌndərd/
past form of “thunder” — move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
precisely as stated
From this reading It had been an ocean gale, and the very air was salt and brackish with flavours of the sea.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The storm was over, and the rain had ceased.
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 Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Far off, the sound of the sea came rolling across the moor to their ears, now loud and threatening as it beat against the iron cliffs and thundered up the coombs, now striking a shriller note as the huge waves, ever beaten off, retreated, dragging beach and shingle with them.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
wreathsnounUS /riːθs/
plural of “wreath” — flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
From this reading Above them, only faintly visible, as though seen through a canopy of delicate lace, the stars were shining in a cloudless sky through the wreaths of faint grey mist.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "IF LOVE YOU CHOOSE, THEN LOVE SHALL BE YOUR RUIN" Paul and his companion walked down the avenue in silence, and turned into the narrow, stony road which wound across the moor.
