used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
adventurousadjectiveUS /ædˈventʃərəs/
willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
band-stands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
Boulogne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
confined by bonds
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
BrittanynounUS /ˈbrɪtəni/
a former province of northwestern France on a peninsula between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
coastsnounUS /koʊsts/
plural of “coast” — the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
craggyadjectiveUS /ˈkræɡi/
having hills and crags
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
Folkestone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
gatewaysnounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪz/
plural of “gateway” — an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
the act of departing
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
Gray'snounUS /ɡreɪz/
possessive form of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
hotelsnounUS /hoʊˈtelz/
plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
mail-steamers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
pessimisticadjectiveUS /ˌpesəˈmɪstɪk/
expecting the worst possible outcome
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
primitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
quay-wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
reportsnounUS /rɪˈpɔːrts/
plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
second-hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
smacksnounUS /smæks/
plural of “smack” — a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
styledverbUS /staɪld/
past form of “style” — designate by an identifying term
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
vellumnoun
a heavy creamy-colored paper resembling parchment
From this reading Nevertheless, the harbor (so styled) is picturesque, and in the less respectable part of the town, between the big hotels and band-stands and the mail-steamers; there are agreeable second-hand book shops, in one of which I bought an early edition of Gray’s poems bound in ancient vellum.
precisely as stated
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
viaprepositionUS /ˈvaɪə/
by way of; passing through
From this reading At four o’clock in the morning, however, we started, adventurous, for the far coasts of Brittany, via Boulogne.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Most of the time we were on the mud, and to get up into England we had to climb a craggy precipice called the quay-wall.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading WE waited for the weather a day and a night at Folkestone, which, though one of the gateways of England, is a poor and primitive place to lie in.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The newspapers were very pessimistic about the weather, and smacks occasionally crept in for shelter, with wild reports of what was going on in the channel.
