used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
anew
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
easternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
Felix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
mainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
narrowsnounUS /ˈneroʊz/
plural of “narrow” — a narrow strait connecting two bodies of water
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
north-north-east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
northernadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
in the near future
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
with speed
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
recededverbUS /rəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
cut with a saw
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
shoresnounUS /ʃɔːrz/
plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
make square
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
straitnounUS /streɪt/
a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
STRAITSnounUS /streɪts/
a bad or difficult situation or state of affairs
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
sweepsnounUS /swiːps/
plural of “sweep” — a wide scope
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
up to a particular time
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
in or at the place that
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
