used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/
towards the shore from the water
From this reading Those who were going ashore had taken their departure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The last bell had rung.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
bulwarks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
clusteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌstərd/
growing close together but not in dense mats
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
CrowdsnounUS /kraʊdz/
plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
the act of departing
From this reading Those who were going ashore had taken their departure.
doorwaysnounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪz/
plural of “doorway” — the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
flutterverbUS /ˈflʌtər/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
the act of departing
From this reading Those who were going ashore had taken their departure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The last bell had rung.
handkerchiefsnounUS /ˈhæŋkərtʃəfs/
plural of “handkerchief” — a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
immediately past
From this reading The last bell had rung.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
pier-head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
prownounUS /praʊ/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
pulsatingverbUS /ˈpʌlseɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “pulsate” — expand and contract rhythmically; beat rhythmically
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
rungnounUS /rʌŋ/
a crosspiece between the legs of a chair
From this reading The last bell had rung.
transport commercially
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
steamshipnounUS /ˈstiːmʃɪp/
a ship powered by one or more steam engines
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Those who were going ashore had taken their departure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The last bell had rung.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Those who were going ashore had taken their departure.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those who were going ashore had taken their departure.
throbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
tugverbUS /tʌɡ/
pull hard
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
vibrateverbUS /ˈvaɪbreɪt/
shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
warehousenounUS /ˈwerhaʊs/
a storehouse for goods and merchandise
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the big ship slowly backed out there was a fluttering of handkerchiefs from the mass on the pier, and an answering flutter from those who crowded along the bulwarks of the steamer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those who were going ashore had taken their departure.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Crowds of human beings clustered on the pier-head, and at the large doorways of the warehouse which stood open on the steamer wharf.
which person or people
From this reading Those who were going ashore had taken their departure.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The tug slowly pulled the prow of the vessel round, and at last the engines of the steamship began their pulsating throbs--throbs that would vibrate night and day until the steamer reached an older civilization.
