Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

open to or abounding in fresh air

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

plural of “banner” — long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

tending to move apart in different directions

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

a high wave (often dangerous) caused by tidal flow (as by colliding tidal currents or in a narrow estuary)

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

one or the other of two

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

plural of “flood” — the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

easily broken or damaged or destroyed

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

plural of “fresco” — a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

plural of “gallery” — spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

a small worthless amount

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

plural of “levee” — a formal reception of visitors or guests (as at a royal court)

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

above and across; more than

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

fraught with danger

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

United States neoclassical composer (1894-1976)

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

flowing profusely

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

with low volume

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

-ing form of “reunite” — have a reunion; unite again

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

a city in north central California 75 miles to the northeast of San Francisco on the Sacramento River; capital of California

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

plural of “smokestack” — a large tall chimney through which combustion gases and smoke can be evacuated

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

a guest cabin

From this reading Mr. Jack Hamlin had quietly emerged from his stateroom on deck and was looking over the guards.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

sink below the surface; go under or as if under water

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

-ing form of “swamp” — drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The steamer Silveropolis was sharply and steadily cleaving the broad, placid shallows of the Sacramento River.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading A large wave like an eagre, diverging from its bow, was extending to either bank, swamping the tules and threatening to submerge the lower levees.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)

From this reading Floods of foam pouring from the high paddle-boxes on either side and reuniting in the wake of the boat left behind a track of dazzling whiteness, over which trailed two dense black banners flung from its lofty smokestacks.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The great boat itself--a vast but delicate structure of airy stories, hanging galleries, fragile colonnades, gilded cornices, and resplendent frescoes--was throbbing throughout its whole perilous length with the pulse of high pressure and the strong monotonous beat of a powerful piston.