used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
azurenounUS /ˈæʒər/
a light shade of blue
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
banananounUS /bəˈnænə/
any of several tropical and subtropical treelike herbs of the genus Musa having a terminal crown of large entire leaves and usually bearing hanging clusters of elongated fruits
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
beachesnounUS /ˈbiːtʃəz/
plural of “beach” — an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
bloodshednounUS /ˈblʌdʃed/
the shedding of blood resulting in murder
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
cause to be bored
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
cragsnounUS /kræɡz/
plural of “crag” — a steep rugged rock or cliff
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
crownedadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
debaucherynounUS /dəˈbɔːtʃəri/
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
diademnounUS /ˈdaɪədem/
an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
earthlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθli/
of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
EdennounUS /ˈiːdən/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
hangsnounUS /hæŋz/
plural of “hang” — a special way of doing something
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
JamaicanounUS /dʒəˈmeɪkə/
a country on the island of Jamaica; became independent of England in 1962; much poverty; the major industry is tourism
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
Jamaica'snounUS /dʒəˈmeɪkəz/
possessive form of “jamaica” — a country on the island of Jamaica; became independent of England in 1962; much poverty; the major industry is tourism
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
KingstonnounUS /ˈkɪŋstən/
a town on the Hudson River in New York
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
liftsnounUS /lɪfts/
plural of “lift” — the act of giving temporary assistance
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
Opulentlyadverb
in a sumptuous and opulent manner
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
peaksnounUS /piːks/
plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
phantasmaladjective
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
PIRATEnounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
RULEDadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
sapphireadjectiveUS /ˈsæfaɪər/
of something having the color of a blue sapphire
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
surf-beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
carry out
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But Jamaica’s history is far from that of an Eden, for its past has been one of bloodshed, debauchery, and death.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
tropicadjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪk/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
unfoldverbUS /ənˈfoʊld/
develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/
plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
veritableadjectiveUS /ˈverɪtəbəl/
often used as intensifiers
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
VigilantadjectiveUS /ˈvɪdʒələnt/
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
a vivid mental image
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
wave-washed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Faint and phantasmal as a vision it hangs above the waves, beautiful as a painting by a master’s hand, as slowly the hills and valleys take on form and substance.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As the Vigilant bore steadily toward Kingston, and we watched valley after valley, wave-washed beaches, surf-beaten crags, and endless rows of palms unfold before us, the island seemed a veritable earthly paradise.
in or at the place that
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
in the company of; together with
From this reading WHERE A PIRATE RULED Against the soft azure of the tropic sky Jamaica lifts its lofty peaks, crowned with a diadem of clouds, above a sapphire sea.
woodedadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdɪd/
covered with growing trees and bushes etc
From this reading Opulently rich, with wooded mountain sides, wide fields of golden cane, and endless banana walks, it is as fair a scene as one could hope to see.
