used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
Bert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
lacking funds
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
cast-offadjective
thrown away
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
embodimentnounUS /emˈbɑːdimənt/
a new personification of a familiar idea
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
garmentnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənt/
an article of clothing
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
a quick look
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
GRIPnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
ten 10s
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
motorcyclenounUS /ˈmoʊtərsaɪkəl/
a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
MURDEROUSadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərəs/
characteristic of or capable of or having a tendency toward killing another human being
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
any competition
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
reeledverbUS /riːld/
past form of “reel” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
sandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
not in physical motion
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
surfnounUS /sɜːrf/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
in a swift manner
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
in or at that place or location
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
traversedverbUS /ˈtrævərst/
past form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
unwindverbUS /ənˈwaɪnd/
reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MURDEROUS GRIP Bert was having his first glimpse of the sea since he started on his trip.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading But now, as he sat on the veranda of the beach hotel facing the sea whose surf broke on the sands a hundred feet away, he could feel his weariness dropping away like a cast-off garment.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That ribbon had commenced to unwind at the eastern end of the continent, and there were still a good many miles to be reeled off before the race was ended.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was weary of the land which he had traversed so swiftly and steadily for two weeks past.
belonging to which person
From this reading The impression stamped upon his brain was that of an endless ribbon of road, between whose edges his motorcycle had sped along, until he seemed like a living embodiment of perpetual motion.
