used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
(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 At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
Babbalanja
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Be sure, it was startling.
becalming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
bladesnounUS /bleɪdz/
plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
make calm or still
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
conchnounUS /kɑːntʃ/
any of various edible tropical marine gastropods of the genus Strombus having a brightly-colored spiral shell with large outer lip
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
constellationsnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “constellation” — an arrangement of parts or elements
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
crow'snounUS /kroʊz/
possessive form of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
DiscoursesnounUS /dɪˈskɔːrsɪz/
plural of “discourse” — extended verbal expression in speech or writing
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
echoesnounUS /ˈekoʊz/
plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
hoarnounUS /hɔːr/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
hollowsnounUS /ˈhɑːloʊz/
plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Be sure, it was startling.
lagoonnounUS /ləˈɡuːn/
a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
immediately past
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
onwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
paddlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
pliedverbUS /plaɪd/
inflected form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
rentverbUS /rent/
let for money
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
reverberatingadjectiveUS /rɪˈvɜːrbəreɪtɪŋ/
characterized by resonance
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
seizingnounUS /ˈsiːzɪŋ/
small stuff that is used for lashing two or more ropes together
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
shark's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading Be sure, it was startling.
not in physical motion
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
dependable
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Be sure, it was startling.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
Vee-Vee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
wailingnounUS /ˈweɪlɪŋ/
loud cries made while weeping
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Be sure, it was startling.
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 At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
