used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
(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 darkness swallowed it all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
bellyingadjective
curving outward
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
Castro'snounUS /ˈkæstroʊz/
possessive form of “castro” — Cuban socialist leader who overthrew a dictator in 1959 and established a Marxist socialist state in Cuba (born in 1927)
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The darkness swallowed it all.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
detonationnounUS /ˌdetəˈneɪʃən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The darkness swallowed it all.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
perpendicularlyadverb
straight up or down without a break
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
having a point
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
reposing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
rumblingnounUS /ˈrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
Seraphina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
be seated
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
make steady
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly, mingled with a loud detonation right over our heads, a burst of light outlined under the bellying strip of our sail the pointed crown of Castro’s hat, reposing on a heap of black clothing huddled in the bows.
swallowedverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊd/
past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading The darkness swallowed it all.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading I swung Seraphina in front of me, and made her sit low on the stern sheets beneath my feet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Sometimes the muffled rumbling stopped, and let us hear plainly the gentle hiss and the patter of the drops falling upon a vast expanse.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The shower fell on us, around us, descending perpendicularly, with a steady force; and the thunder rolled far off, as if coming from under the sea.
