used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
acetylenenounUS /əˈsetəliːn/
a colorless flammable gas used chiefly in welding and in organic synthesis
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A sea-plane had been deftly launched.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
brinknounUS /brɪŋk/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
ChannelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
deftlyadverbUS /ˈdeftli/
with dexterity; in a dexterous manner
From this reading A sea-plane had been deftly launched.
DovernounUS /ˈdoʊvər/
the capital of the state of Delaware
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
flarenounUS /fler/
a shape that spreads outward
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
flash-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
glintverbUS /ɡlɪnt/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
hullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
lashingnounUS /ˈlæʃɪŋ/
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
launchedverbUS /lɔːntʃt/
past form of “launch” — set up or found
From this reading A sea-plane had been deftly launched.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
MotorsnounUS /ˈmoʊtərz/
plural of “motor” — machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
muggyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌɡi/
hot or warm and humid
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
move hurridly
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
sea-plane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sea-plane had been deftly launched.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
splashverbUS /splæʃ/
cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
sportedverbUS /ˈspɔːrtɪd/
past form of “sport” — wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
taperingadjectiveUS /ˈteɪpərɪŋ/
becoming gradually narrower
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading An acetylene flare revealed several muffled figures flitting here and there on the harbor brink.
a special situation
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
directed up
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading There was a glint from polished surface, a flash-like, downward rush of a long, tapering hull, and a splash in the dark waters below.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
whipverbUS /wɪp/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading It was a muggy night in Dover--not an unusual thing in Dover--but nevertheless the wind had an extra whip in it and was lashing the outside Channel into a state of wild waves.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Motors hummed, a wide wake streamed away to the rear of the wonder craft, which, suddenly, as if by magic drawn upward from the tide, joined the winds that sported aloft.
