used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a wild and wet day.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a wild and wet day.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
the organ of sight
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
moving swiftly
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
gustsnounUS /ɡʌsts/
plural of “gust” — a strong current of air
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
headlandnoun
a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
hissingnounUS /ˈhɪsɪŋ/
a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
indistinguishableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
exactly alike; incapable of being perceived as different
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a wild and wet day.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
LewisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
LOCHABER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “LOCHABER NO MORE.”
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “LOCHABER NO MORE.”
not any; not one
From this reading “LOCHABER NO MORE.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
and nothing more
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
onwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
rain-beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
Identical; not different.
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
SouthwestnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθwest/
the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
strifenounUS /straɪf/
lack of agreement or harmony
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
thunderingadjectiveUS /ˈθʌndərɪŋ/
sounding like thunder
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
vapornounUS /ˈveɪpər/
a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/
plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a wild and wet day.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading On a small headland of the distant island of Lewis, an old man stood looking out on a desolate waste of rain-beaten sea.
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 Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
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 From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading It was a wild and wet day.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading Far as the eye could reach, the sea and the air and the sky seemed to be one indistinguishable mass of whirling and hurrying vapor, as if beyond this point there were no more land, but only wind and water, and the confused and awful voice of their strife.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading It was a wild and wet day.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading From out of the lowering Southwest fierce gusts of wind were driving up volumes and flying rags of clouds, and sweeping onward at the same time the gathering waves that fell hissing and thundering on the shore.
