used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
(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 It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
from appearances alone
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/
towards the shore from the water
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
ColumbianounUS /kəˈlʌmbiə/
a North American river; rises in southwestern Canada and flows southward across Washington to form the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific; known for its salmon runs in the spring
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
distressfuladjective
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
dockedverbUS /dɑːkt/
past form of “dock” — come into dock
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
dustings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
enticingadjectiveUS /enˈtaɪsɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
immediately past
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
march in a procession
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
mid-afternoon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
OregonnounUS /ˈɔːrəɡən/
a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
ragingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/
characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
repairedverbUS /rɪˈperd/
past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
rippledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪpəld/
uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
seaboardnounUS /ˈsiːbɔːrd/
the shore of a sea or ocean regarded as a resort
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
transport commercially
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
smokings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
smokyadjectiveUS /ˈsmoʊki/
marked by or emitting or filled with smoke
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
snail-paced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
suffocatingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
swelterings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had been getting herself ashore in the smoke, and she had to be docked and repaired.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
accept gladly
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading We moved westward about mid-afternoon over a rippled and summer sea; an enticing sea, a clean and cool sea, and apparently a welcome sea to all on board; it certainly was to the distressful dustings and smokings and swelterings of the past weeks.
in or at the place that
From this reading We had an added week of smoke at the seaboard, where we were obliged awhile for our ship.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We sailed at last; and so ended a snail-paced march across the continent, which had lasted forty days.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading It was warm work, all the way, and the last fortnight of it was suffocatingly smoky, for in Oregon and Columbia the forest fires were raging.
