used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
(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 The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
billowsnounUS /ˈbɪloʊz/
plural of “billow” — a large sea wave
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
birlingnoun
rotating a log rapidly in the water (as a competitive sport)
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
lacking funds
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
ceasingverbUS /ˈsiːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
contrivancesnounUS /kənˈtraɪvənsɪz/
plural of “contrivance” — a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
daft-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
being one more than ten
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
HELVOETSLUYS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
HollandnounUS /ˈhɑːlənd/
a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
leadsman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
outrageouslyadverbUS /ˌaʊˈtreɪdʒəsli/
in a very offensive manner
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
only a very short time before
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
transport commercially
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
shoalsnounUS /ʃoʊlz/
plural of “shoal” — a sandbank in a stretch of water that is visible at low tide
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
shroudsnounUS /ʃraʊdz/
plural of “shroud” — a line that suspends the harness from the canopy of a parachute
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
squallsnounUS /skwɔːlz/
plural of “squall” — sudden violent winds; often accompanied by precipitation
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
thrid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
in or at the place that
From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
windmillsnounUS /ˈwɪndmɪlz/
plural of “windmill” — a mill that is powered by the wind
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
wintryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪntri/
characteristic of or occurring in winter
From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland--a line of windmills birling in the breeze.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
worsenedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrsənd/
changed for the worse in health or fitness
From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
