used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
chuggingverbUS /ˈtʃʌɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “chug” — make a dull, explosive sound
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The forest closed in once more.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
determinedlyadverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmənədli/
with determination; in a determined manner
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
Ermintrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The forest closed in once more.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
Gladys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
Harmon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
immediately past
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
launchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/
set up or found
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
the force of workers available
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The forest closed in once more.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
on one occasion
From this reading The forest closed in once more.
owlnounUS /aʊl/
nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
Pudnoun
(British) the dessert course of a meal (“pud” is used informally)
From this reading Pud and Tim sighed with relief.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Pud and Tim sighed with relief.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
saggingadjectiveUS /ˈsæɡɪŋ/
hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
shadowedadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊd/
filled with shade
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
shanty-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Pud and Tim sighed with relief.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading At last the clearing passed from sight as the launch, chugging determinedly, rounded a shadowed bend in the river.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Harmon, as solemn as an owl, perched on the stern and stared curiously at Gladys Ermintrude.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
Tim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pud and Tim sighed with relief.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading PURSUIT The shanty-boat, the sagging wharf, and the waving men grew small in the distance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Pud and Tim sighed with relief.
