used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
AustinnounUS /ˈɔːstən/
state capital of Texas on the Colorado River; site of the University of Texas
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
blinkingadjectiveUS /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/
closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
cottonwoodnounUS /ˈkɑːtənwʊd/
any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
Cumbrianoun
a former Celtic kingdom in northwestern England; the name continued to be used for the hilly northwestern region of England including the Lake District and the northern Pennines
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
diggingnounUS /ˈdɪɡɪŋ/
the act of digging
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
excavationnounUS /ˌekskəˈveɪʃən/
the act of digging
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
fitfullyadverbUS /ˈfɪtfəli/
in a fitful manner
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
GUMnounUS /ɡʌm/
a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
half-moonnoun
the crescent-shaped area at the base of the human fingernail
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
half-rotten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
hummingnounUS /ˈhʌmɪŋ/
a humming noise
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
intersectingadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈsektɪŋ/
crossed or intersected in the form of an X
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
isletnounUS /ˈaɪlɪt/
a small island
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
jarredverbUS /dʒɑːrd/
inflected form of “jar” — be incompatible; be or come into conflict
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
JEFFERSONnounUS /ˈdʒefərsən/
3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
lappingnounUS /ˈlæpɪŋ/
covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles)
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
immediately past
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
massedverbUS /mæst/
past form of “mass” — join together into a mass or collect or form a mass
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
the force of workers available
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
orchidsnounUS /ˈɔːrkədz/
plural of “orchid” — any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
pumpverbUS /pʌmp/
operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
riftnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
shovelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/
plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
not in physical motion
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
strenuouslyadverbUS /ˈstrenjuːəsli/
in a strenuous manner; strongly or vigorously
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
thudverbUS /θʌd/
make a dull sound
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
toilingadjectiveUS /ˈtɔɪlɪŋ/
doing arduous or unpleasant work
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
trenchnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
precisely as stated
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
at the time that
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
