used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
aboardadverbUS /əˈbɔːrd/
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
Angela
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Angela, tell me it isn't a dream."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
the lower side of anything
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
card-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
chopchop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading "Angela, tell me it isn't a dream."
dreamlikeadjectiveUS /ˈdriːmlaɪk/
resembling a dream
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
dwarfedverbUS /dwɔːrft/
past form of “dwarf” — make appear small by comparison
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
divisible by two
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
fugitivenounUS /ˈfjuːdʒətɪv/
someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
guffawnounUS /ɡəˈfɔː/
a burst of deep loud hearty laughter
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Angela, tell me it isn't a dream."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Angela, tell me it isn't a dream."
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
nocturnaladjectiveUS /nɑːkˈtɜːrnəl/
belonging to or active during the night
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
except for; apart from
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
serpentnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
shimmeredverbUS /ˈʃɪmərd/
past form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Save for an occasional guffaw and curse, evidence of some nocturnal card-party, silence reigned aboard.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
express in words
From this reading "Angela, tell me it isn't a dream."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
TopekanounUS /təˈpiːkɑː/
the capital of the state of Kansas; located in eastern Kansas on the Kansas river
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
unstableadjectiveUS /ənˈsteɪbəl/
lacking stability or fixity or firmness
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/
an old word for “to”
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
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 CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading CONCLUSION It was past midnight, and they were sitting in the stern of the _Topeka_ listening to the chopchop of the water under her flat bottom.
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading A full moon flooded the landscape, under which the lofty banks, and the great mountains beyond, shimmered in fantastic manner; wherein the river, mighty as it was, seemed dwarfed like unto a silver serpent, winding and turning down to the sea.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Since morning Jim had lived in some wonderful paradise, which even now seemed unstable, fugitive, and dreamlike.
