used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
at or in the front
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
artificialadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/
contrived by art rather than nature
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
on or to one side
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The wind had changed and was rolling back our fog on top of us.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
blockships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
exhale hard
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
buoyverbUS /ˈbuːi/
float on the surface of water
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
cablesnounUS /ˈkeɪbəlz/
plural of “cable” — a telegram sent abroad
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading The wind had changed and was rolling back our fog on top of us.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
DestroyersnounUS /dɪˈstrɔɪərz/
plural of “destroyer” — a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
envelopedverbUS /enˈveləpt/
past form of “envelop” — enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
gongsnounUS /ɡɔːŋz/
plural of “gong” — a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
gutteringverbUS /ˈɡʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “gutter” — burn unsteadily, feebly, or low; flicker
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
limnedverbUS /lɪmd/
past form of “limn” — trace the shape of
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
engage in
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
MolenounUS /moʊl/
the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
a particular point in time
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
murknounUS /mɜːrk/
an atmosphere in which visibility is reduced because of a cloud of some substance
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
uttered with a trill
From this reading The wind had changed and was rolling back our fog on top of us.
cut with a saw
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
searchlightsnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪts/
plural of “searchlight” — a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
swervedverbUS /swɜːrvd/
past form of “swerve” — turn sharply; change direction abruptly
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
swirlingverbUS /ˈswɜːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We had parted company from the Destroyers some minutes before, and the blockships had swerved aside to make the entrance.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The wind had changed and was rolling back our fog on top of us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The wind had changed and was rolling back our fog on top of us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The wind had changed and was rolling back our fog on top of us.
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 Like magic I saw a space of water clear ahead, and the next instant the Mole stood out black and distinct a couple of cables away, limned against the glare of searchlights and star shell.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A guttering smoke buoy went down our port side, and the next moment we were enveloped in the artificial fog of our own making.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind had changed and was rolling back our fog on top of us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, as I stood with my hand on the key of the fire gongs, peering ahead into the swirling murk, I felt a breath of damp air blow strong in my face.
