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Sally Dows
Sally Dows

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Sally Dows
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.
The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.
In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.
A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.
White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Sally Dows

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.
Line 2
The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.
Line 3
In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.
Line 4
A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.
Line 5
White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.”

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.”

All words in this reading · 100

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

abrupt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

also

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

base

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

Bay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

beach

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

bluffs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

cabin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.

cliff

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

clouds

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

coast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

completely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

contiguity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

crumbling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

curve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

debris

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

decks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

drifts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

dripping

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

ducks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

face

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

fisherman's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.

flight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

formed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

Francisco

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

gray

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

habitation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.

hidden

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

isolate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

line

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

locality

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

mainland

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

meadow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

meadows

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

narrow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

northerly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

oak

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

occasional

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.

opposite

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

passing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

pelican

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

promontory

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

re-entering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

rising

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

rock

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

rocks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.

salt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

San

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

sandpipers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

scrub

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

sea

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

sea-gulls

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

seal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

seems

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

seen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

separates

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

sharp

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

ships

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

shore

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

signs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

solitary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.

spite

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

splash

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

stretch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

terminates

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

trace

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From this reading A solitary fisherman's cabin half hidden in the rocks was the only trace of habitation.

uncultivated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

unfrequented

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

wall

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The abrupt wall of rock behind it seems to isolate it as completely from the mainland as the sea before it separates it from the opposite shore.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

White

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading White drifts of sea-gulls and pelican across the face of the cliff, gray clouds of sandpipers rising from the beach, the dripping flight of ducks over the salt meadows, and the occasional splash of a seal from the rocks, were the only signs of life that could be seen from the decks of passing ships.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading On the northerly shore of San Francisco Bay a line of bluffs terminates in a promontory, at whose base, formed by the crumbling debris of the cliff above, there is a narrow stretch of beach, salt meadow, and scrub oak.

wild

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In spite of its contiguity to San Francisco,--opposite also, but hidden by the sharp re-entering curve of coast,--the locality was wild, uncultivated, and unfrequented.