used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
basesnounUS /ˈbeɪsəz/
plural of “base” — installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you recognise any familiar outlines of the coast, Rogers?"
being one more than seven
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading "Do you recognise any familiar outlines of the coast, Rogers?"
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
fetchedverbUS /fetʃt/
past form of “fetch” — go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
foamnounUS /foʊm/
a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
fringedadjective
surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
grandeurnounUS /ɡrænˈduːr/
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
ten 10s
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
lockernounUS /ˈlɑːkər/
a storage compartment for clothes and valuables; usually it has a lock
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
not any; not one
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading "Do you recognise any familiar outlines of the coast, Rogers?"
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
precipitousadjectiveUS /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
Ranworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
recogniseverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
show approval or appreciation of
From this reading "Do you recognise any familiar outlines of the coast, Rogers?"
RogersnounUS /ˈrɑːdʒərz/
United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)
From this reading "Do you recognise any familiar outlines of the coast, Rogers?"
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
sextantnoun
a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
snow-cladadjective
covered with snow
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Steep and often overhanging cliffs reared themselves eight hundred feet or more above the level of the sea, their bases fringed by a line of foam.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading "We must have fetched too far to the westward," declared Ranworth, as he brought out his sextant from a locker.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading No sign of any landing place could be made out; the whole aspect was one of the wild grandeur of a dead land.
in the company of; together with
From this reading TWO DAYS OUT As the _Bird of Freedom_ closed with the snow-clad land, the precipitous nature of the coast became more and more apparent.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Do you recognise any familiar outlines of the coast, Rogers?"
