used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
brackennounUS /ˈbrækən/
fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
Emily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
at any time
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
firsnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
set up or found
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
destroyed or killed
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
for more time
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
mistyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsti/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
not any; not one
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
a course of conduct
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
prowled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
resinousadjective
having the characteristics of pitch or tar
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
rockier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
except for; apart from
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
scrubverbUS /skrʌb/
clean with hard rubbing
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
spruces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
steepernounUS /ˈstiːpər/
a vessel (usually a pot or vat) used for steeping
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had prowled that evening further down the bay shore than she had ever gone before.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
very small
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
tricksyadjective
marked by skill in deception
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
troddenverbUS /ˈtrɑːdən/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
turquoisenounUS /ˈtɜːrkwɔɪz/
a blue to grey green mineral consisting of copper aluminum phosphate
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
having passed out of existence
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
velvetyadjectiveUS /ˈvelvəti/
smooth and soft to sight or hearing or touch or taste
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
virginnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒɪn/
a person who has never had sex
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The banks grew steeper and rockier as she went on and finally the little path vanished altogether in a plot of bracken.
whereon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
windyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪndi/
abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes
From this reading It was a warm, windy evening; the air was resinous and sweet; the bay a misty turquoise.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading ON THE BAY SHORE “I wonder,” thought Emily, “how much longer I have to live.”
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading That part of the shore whereon she found herself seemed as lonely and virgin as if no human foot had ever trodden it, save for a tiny, tricksy path, slender as red thread and bordered by great, green, velvety sheets of moss, that wound in and out of the big firs and scrub spruces.
