used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
(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 But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Meanwhile Darrell was sound asleep in his berth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading Meanwhile Darrell was sound asleep in his berth.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
cause to be bored
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
coinsnounUS /kɔɪnz/
plural of “coin” — a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
Darrell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile Darrell was sound asleep in his berth.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
dunnounUS /dʌn/
horse of a dull brownish grey color
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
gottenverbUS /ˈɡɑːtən/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
set afire or burning
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile Darrell was sound asleep in his berth.
MediterraneannounUS /ˌmedətərˈeɪniən/
the largest inland sea; between Europe and Africa and Asia
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
MedusanounUS /məˈduːsə/
(Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
MessinanounUS /mɪˈsiːnə/
a port city in northeastern Sicily on the Strait of Messina
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
PelhamnounUS /ˈpeləm/
a bit with a bar mouthpiece that is designed to combine a curb and snaffle
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
rodnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
sicklenounUS /ˈsɪkəl/
an edge tool for cutting grass or crops; has a curved blade and a short handle
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Meanwhile Darrell was sound asleep in his berth.
Stromboli
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
Strombolis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was Pelham who showed to Elizabeth the sickle–shaped port of Messina, and told her of the ancient coins of the city, which bore a sickle upon them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
torchesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃɪz/
plural of “torch” — a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It would have taken more than ten Strombolis to have gotten him up on deck at that hour.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading But a gun, a dog, or a fishing–rod would have kept him up all night and made him as alert and watchful as if his life depended upon the issue.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
at the time that
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
which person or people
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As they sailed over the blue Mediterranean, it was Pelham who told Elizabeth when they would come in sight of Stromboli; and it was on his arm that she watched before daybreak a great, pallid moon sinking into the black world of waters on the west, while on the east the dun sky, across which fled great ragged masses of dark clouds, was lighted by the vast torches of Stromboli waving like a blazing head of Medusa.
