used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
brinknounUS /brɪŋk/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
crashingadjectiveUS /ˈkræʃɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
dinnounUS /dɪn/
a loud harsh or strident noise
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
plural of “dog” — 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 As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
Emer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Turning, Polaris saw Rose Emer.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
FLOEnounUS /floʊ/
a flat mass of ice (smaller than an ice field) floating at sea
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
howlsnounUS /haʊlz/
plural of “howl” — a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
icebergsnounUS /ˈaɪsbərɡz/
plural of “iceberg” — a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
and nothing more
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
PolarisnounUS /poʊˈlerəs/
the brightest star in Ursa Minor; at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper; the northern axis of the earth points toward it
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
ragingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/
characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
riftnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Turning, Polaris saw Rose Emer.
cut with a saw
From this reading Turning, Polaris saw Rose Emer.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
skinsnounUS /skɪnz/
plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
swirlverbUS /swɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
swirlingverbUS /ˈswɜːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Turning, Polaris saw Rose Emer.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading BATTLE ON THE FLOE Helpless, Polaris stood at the brink of the rift, swirling water and tossing ice throwing the spray about him in clouds.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As if they realized that they were being parted from the firm land, the dogs grouped at the edge of the floe and sent their dismal howls across the raging swirl, only to be drowned by the din of the crashing icebergs.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Here was opposition against which his naked strength was useless.
wind-swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She stood at the doorway of the tent of skins, staring across the wind-swept channel with a blank despair looking from her eyes.
