adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/
towards the shore from the water
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
asleepadjectiveUS /əˈsliːp/
in a state of sleep
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
carefullyadverbUS /ˈkerfəli/
taking care or paying attention
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
clewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
devicenounUS /dɪˈvaɪs/
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
distressnounUS /dɪˈstres/
psychological suffering
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
flagnounUS /flæɡ/
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
gazedverbUS /ɡeɪzd/
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
heavilyadverbUS /ˈhevəli/
to a considerable degree
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
milenounUS /maɪl/
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
miragenounUS /mərˈɑːʒ/
an optical illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
mistverbUS /mɪst/
become covered with mist
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
nationnounUS /ˈneɪʃən/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "It is an extraordinary place to anchor," I said to myself, "or can she be ashore?"
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/
transport commercially
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
shroudsnounUS /ʃraʊdz/
plural of “shroud” — a line that suspends the harness from the canopy of a parachute
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
signsnounUS /saɪnz/
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
steadfastlyadverbUS /ˈstedfæstli/
with resolute determination
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading A flag, of which I could not see the device or the nation, hung heavily at the stern, and looked as if it had fallen asleep.
supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/
required or under orders
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the more steadfastly I gazed, the more distinct it became, and I could no longer doubt that I saw a stately ship lying at anchor, not more than half a mile from the land.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were no signs of distress; the sails were carefully clewed up, and there were no sailors in the tops, nor upon the shrouds.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was some time before I was aware of the outline of a large ship, drawn vaguely upon the mist, which I supposed, at first, to be only a kind of mirage.
