used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading DANGEROUS VISITORS.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
ebbverbUS /eb/
flow back or recede
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
divisible by two
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
flownounUS /floʊ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
grottonounUS /ˈɡrɑːtoʊ/
a small cave (usually with attractive features)
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
ten 10s
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
inchesnounUS /ˈɪntʃəz/
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
engage in
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
midwayadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdweɪ/
equally distant from the extremes
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
not any; not one
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
on one occasion
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
and nothing more
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
roughestadjectiveUS /ˈrʌfəst/
superlative of “rough” — having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
cut with a saw
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
scannedverbUS /skænd/
inflected form of “scan” — examine minutely or intensely
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
slow-movingadjective
moving slowly
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
surfnounUS /sɜːrf/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
tempestuously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Every hour in the day Frank scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading He felt that he could not be more than a hundred miles from the Bay Islands, and not altogether out of the track of sailing vessels.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading DANGEROUS VISITORS.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Once he saw what appeared to be a long, low cloud hovering midway between the sky and water, and which he knew to be the smoke from a steamer; but it was so far off that, even with the glass, he could only make out the slow-moving line of smoke that marked her course.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
but in spite of that
From this reading His boat he kept in the channel forming the water entrance to the grotto, and during the roughest weather he had yet experienced on the island the tide never once rose higher than from four to six inches, and its ebb and flow was so silent that it was never heard, no matter how loud and tempestuously the surf was roaring without.
