used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
anew
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
allurementnoun
attractiveness
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading He had come out upon the upper deck to be alone.
move towards
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had come out upon the upper deck to be alone.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come out upon the upper deck to be alone.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
ferryboatnounUS /ˈferiboʊt/
a boat that transports people or vehicles across a body of water and operates on a regular schedule
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
fraughtadjectiveUS /frɔːt/
marked by distress
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come out upon the upper deck to be alone.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come out upon the upper deck to be alone.
not accessible to view
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
home-coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
nocturnaladjectiveUS /nɑːkˈtɜːrnəl/
belonging to or active during the night
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had come out upon the upper deck to be alone.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
poignantadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪnjənt/
arousing affect
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
prickedverbUS /prɪkt/
past form of “prick” — make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
pulsesnounUS /ˈpʌlsɪz/
plural of “pulse” — (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
cut with a saw
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
a state of social isolation
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He had expected the event to assume a special significance, to be fraught with hidden meaning, to set his pulses leaping.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
Starratt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
stilledverbUS /stɪld/
past form of “still” — make calm or still
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
tingedverbUS /tɪŋd/
past form of “tinge” — affect as in thought or feeling
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had come out upon the upper deck to be alone.
the topmost one of two
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to approach the city of his birth in decent solitude, to feel the thrill of home-coming in all its poignant melancholy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a mild night--the skies clear, the air tinged with pleasant chill, the bay stilled to nocturnal quiet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On a certain evening in February Fred Starratt, from the upper deck of a ferryboat, again saw the dusky outlines of San Francisco stretch themselves in faint allurement pricked with glittering splendor.
