used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
anew
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
crowsnounUS /kroʊz/
plural of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
set up or found
From this reading They found one very large shell, a span long, and took it as spoil.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
haunches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
isletnounUS /ˈaɪlɪt/
a small island
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They found one very large shell, a span long, and took it as spoil.
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 A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
musselsnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “mussel” — black marine bivalves usually steamed in wine
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
PanverbUS /pæn/
make a sweeping movement
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
PearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
raftnounUS /ræft/
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading They found one very large shell, a span long, and took it as spoil.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
shelvingverbUS /ˈʃelvɪŋ/
-ing form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
sniffingverbUS /ˈsnɪfɪŋ/
-ing form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
snipeverbUS /snaɪp/
hunt or shoot snipe
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
that is looked for
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
spannounUS /spæn/
the complete duration of something
From this reading They found one very large shell, a span long, and took it as spoil.
spoilverbUS /spɔɪl/
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
From this reading They found one very large shell, a span long, and took it as spoil.
not in physical motion
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
strandnounUS /strænd/
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading They found one very large shell, a span long, and took it as spoil.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
precisely as stated
From this reading They found one very large shell, a span long, and took it as spoil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
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 The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
water'snounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/
possessive form of “water” — 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 Pan ran round the islet, sniffing at the water’s edge, and then, finding nothing, returned to the raft and sat down on his haunches.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The water on one side of Pearl Island was not more than four or five inches deep a long way out, and it was from this shelving sand that the crows got the mussels.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A summer snipe left the islet as they came near, circled round, and approached again, but finding they were still there, sought another strand.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading They carried them up on the bank and left the shells, which fell over open, and the wind blew the sand into them.
