used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
AfricanounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
(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 The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
betokening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
confined by bonds
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
braidedadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪdɪd/
woven by (or as if by) braiding
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
make calm or still
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
convergedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrdʒd/
past form of “converge” — be adjacent or come together
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
delusionnounUS /dɪˈluːʒən/
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
deviousadjectiveUS /ˈdiːviəs/
indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
flownounUS /floʊ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
in a gradual manner
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
glassyadjectiveUS /ˈɡlæsi/
resembling glass in smoothness and shininess and slickness
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
godlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːdli/
showing great reverence for god
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
IndianounUS /ˈɪndiə/
a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
JerseynounUS /ˈdʒɜːrzi/
a Mid-Atlantic state on the Atlantic; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
immediately past
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
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 Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
mid-air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
mid-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
milkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪlki/
resembling milk in color; not clear
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
used to form the superlative
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
noon-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
opticaladjectiveUS /ˈɑːptɪkəl/
of or relating to or involving light or optics
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
PerunounUS /pərˈuː/
a republic in western South America; achieved independence from Spain in 1821; was the heart of the Inca empire from the 12th to 16th centuries
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
pervadingverbUS /pərˈveɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
quivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
uttered with a trill
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
scoresnounUS /skɔːrz/
a large number or amount
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
transport commercially
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
thoroughfaresnounUS /ˈθɜːroʊferz/
plural of “thoroughfare” — a public road from one place to another
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
tranced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
tranquiladjectiveUS /ˈtræŋkwəl/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
tumultuousadjectiveUS /ˌtuːˈmʌltʃuːəs/
characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
uproarnounUS /ˈʌprɔːr/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Full before us quivered and danced, in the noon-day heat and mid-air, the green heights of New Jersey; and by an optical delusion, the blue sea seemed to flow under them.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
vistasnounUS /ˈvɪstəz/
plural of “vista” — the visual percept of a region
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
wakesnounUS /weɪks/
plural of “wake” — the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
From this reading Here the long, devious wakes from Europe, Africa, India, and Peru converged to a line, which braided them all in one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOME AT LAST Next day was Sunday; and the mid-day sun shone upon a glassy sea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After the uproar of the breeze and the gale, this profound, pervading calm seemed suited to the tranquil spirit of a day, which, in godly towns, makes quiet vistas of the most tumultuous thoroughfares.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
a Caucasian
From this reading The ship lay gently rolling in the soft, subdued ocean swell; while all around were faint white spots; and nearer to, broad, milky patches, betokening the vicinity of scores of ships, all bound to one common port, and tranced in one common calm.
