used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
attendantsnounUS /əˈtendənts/
plural of “attendant” — someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
boundedadjectiveUS /ˈbaʊndəd/
having the limits or boundaries established
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
cargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
dischargingverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “discharge” — complete or carry out
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
eminencenounUS /ˈemənəns/
high status importance owing to marked superiority
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
hallooverb
urge on with shouts
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading To her unspeakable surprise, the sailors joyfully obeyed the signal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
joyfullyadverbUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəli/
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading To her unspeakable surprise, the sailors joyfully obeyed the signal.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
Laura's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
lengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈleŋθənd/
drawn out or made longer spatially
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
marginnounUS /ˈmɑːrdʒən/
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
marshyadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrʃi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading To her unspeakable surprise, the sailors joyfully obeyed the signal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
having a point
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading To her unspeakable surprise, the sailors joyfully obeyed the signal.
samenessnounUS /ˈseɪmnəs/
the quality of being alike
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
except for; apart from
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading To her unspeakable surprise, the sailors joyfully obeyed the signal.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
sluggishadjectiveUS /ˈslʌɡɪʃ/
moving slowly
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
smote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading To her unspeakable surprise, the sailors joyfully obeyed the signal.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
swampyadjectiveUS /ˈswɑːmpi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
unspeakableadjectiveUS /ənˈspiːkəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading To her unspeakable surprise, the sailors joyfully obeyed the signal.
unwholesomeadjective
detrimental to physical or moral well-being
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
water-edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
at the time that
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
in or at the place that
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They ran their bark into a creek to which the Indians pointed, and cheerfully busied themselves in discharging their cargo.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Placed with her attendants on a little eminence, which rose above the swampy margin of the river, Laura took a fearful survey of the scene around her.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The travellers had proceeded for some time shaded by the overhanging woods, the distance lengthened by the dreary sameness of their way, when a wild halloo smote Laura's ear; and she perceived that three Indians stood at the water-edge, making signs for the boat to land.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Save where the sluggish stream opened to the day, her view was bounded to a few yards of marshy ground, rank with unwholesome vegetation.
