used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
(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 The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
bathingnounUS /ˈbeɪðɪŋ/
immersing the body in water or sunshine
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
boatmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading OVER THE CLIFF.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
Dering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
incomingadjectiveUS /ˈɪnkʌmɪŋ/
arriving at a place or position
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
Lionel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
machinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
the force of workers available
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
OVERprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading OVER THE CLIFF.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
presageful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
puffsnounUS /pʌfs/
plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OVER THE CLIFF.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
very small
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
undecidedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/
not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
unfelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was nearly dark by the time Lionel Dering was ready to turn his face homeward.
weathercocknoun
weathervane with a vane in the form of a rooster
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The boatmen were busy with their tiny craft, making everything fast for the night; and the bathing men were dragging their machines high and dry beyond reach of the incoming tide.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
windlessadjective
without or almost without wind
From this reading A hot, windless August day had settled down into a dull, brooding evening, presageful of a coming storm.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The tide was coming in with an ominous muffled roar; the wind, unfelt all day, was now blowing in fitful puffs from various points of the compass, so that the weathercock on the green, in front of the Silver Lion, was more undecided than usual, and did not know its own mind for two minutes at a time.
