used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
abreastadjectiveUS /əˈbrest/
being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
accompanyingadjectiveUS /əˈkʌmpəniɪŋ/
occurring with or following as a consequence
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
BeaconnounUS /ˈbiːkən/
a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
a state at a particular time
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
Dunkery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
eastwardadjectiveUS /ˈiːstwərd/
moving toward the east
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
encouragingadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒɪŋ/
giving courage or confidence or hope
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
conformity or harmony
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
most important element
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
a form of address for a man
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
Portman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
not often
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
SHIRLEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WE'LL STICK TO SHIRLEY!"
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading "WE'LL STICK TO SHIRLEY!"
not in physical motion
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "WE'LL STICK TO SHIRLEY!"
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading Several times Mr. Shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat.
WE'LL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WE'LL STICK TO SHIRLEY!"
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
at the time that
From this reading When night began to fall, the _Dunkery Beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, Mr. Portman thought,--and the _Summer Shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _Summer Shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading During the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel.
