used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
quickly and without warning
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
BalaclavanounUS /ˌbɑːlɑːˈklɑːvɑː/
a cap that is close-fitting and woolen and covers all of the head but the face
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE SIEGE.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
set up or found
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
headlandnoun
a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
ten 10s
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
insomuchadverb
to such an extent or degree; so
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
the act of departing
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
maskedadjectiveUS /mæskt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
mountain-lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE SIEGE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
on one occasion
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
and nothing more
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
orchardsnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərdz/
plural of “orchard” — garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
precipitousadjectiveUS /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
projectingadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
unusual or striking
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
SIEGEnounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE SIEGE.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
stone's-throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
confined on all sides
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
suspectingverbUS /səˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “suspect” — imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE SIEGE.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
uninterestingadjectiveUS /əˈnɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
vineyardsnounUS /ˈvɪnjərdz/
plural of “vineyard” — a farm of grapevines where wine grapes are produced
From this reading The little valley leading from the plain to the head of the harbour was full of gardens, vineyards, and orchards.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
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 Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Balaclava itself Jack found but a small, uninteresting place; but the harbour was remarkable, insomuch that looking down upon it from the precipitous hills by which it was surrounded, it looked like a small mountain-lake, the entrance being completely masked by a projecting headland.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Once inside, however, the biggest vessels could ride securely at anchor within a stone’s-throw of the shore, which rose abruptly from the water’s edge, leaving only a narrow ledge on which the town was built.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A vessel might sail past the entrance a hundred times without suspecting the existence of a harbour.
