used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
bitterestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪtərəst/
superlative of “bitter” — marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
divisible by two
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
GULFnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading PICKED UP IN THE GULF STREAM.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PICKED UP IN THE GULF STREAM.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
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 With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
engage in
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
a particular point in time
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
navigatingverbUS /ˈnævəɡeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “navigate” — travel on water propelled by wind or by other means
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
and nothing more
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading PICKED UP IN THE GULF STREAM.
plashverb
interlace the shoots of
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
polenounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
Rankin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/
a rate that is rapid
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
snappingverbUS /ˈsnæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading PICKED UP IN THE GULF STREAM.
SumnernounUS /ˈsʌmnər/
United States sociologist (1840-1910)
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The snapping of that pole marked the bitterest moment of Sumner Rankin's life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PICKED UP IN THE GULF STREAM.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading He could make out the dim forms of its trees, and of the deserted buildings, in one of which he had proposed to spend the night.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading PICKED UP IN THE GULF STREAM.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading He could even hear the rustle of its palm leaves in the light evening breeze, and the gentle plash of waters on its rocky coast.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With it went his only hope of navigating his rude craft to the friendly shore of the key, past which he now seemed to be drifting with terrible rapidity.
