used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
(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 It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
ArnoldnounUS /ˈɑːrnəld/
English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
concreteadjectiveUS /kənˈkriːt/
capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
deck-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
discontentedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪskənˈtentɪdli/
with discontent; in a discontented manner
From this reading He kicked a pebble discontentedly into the water, and turned to look, at Arnold.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
docksnounUS /dɑːks/
plural of “dock” — an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
a movement into or inward
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
hammeringnounUS /ˈhæmərɪŋ/
the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He kicked a pebble discontentedly into the water, and turned to look, at Arnold.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
kickedverbUS /kɪkt/
past form of “kick” — drive or propel with the foot
From this reading He kicked a pebble discontentedly into the water, and turned to look, at Arnold.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
the literary culture
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He kicked a pebble discontentedly into the water, and turned to look, at Arnold.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
moodilyadverb
in a moody manner
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
held or filled or in use
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
on one occasion
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
pebblenounUS /ˈpebəl/
a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading He kicked a pebble discontentedly into the water, and turned to look, at Arnold.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
signallingverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəlɪŋ/
inflected form of “signal” — communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
sirennounUS /ˈsaɪrən/
a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
slushing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Following a delay of some days, there had been a fairly heavy mail, and Peter took his letters to the little terrace by the sea outside the mess, and sat in the sun to read them.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He kicked a pebble discontentedly into the water, and turned to look, at Arnold.
two times
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Perhaps half an hour passed, then Peter folded up some sheets, put them in his pocket, and walked moodily to the edge of the concrete, staring down, at the lazy slushing of the tide against: the wall below him.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading It was all very peaceful and still, and beyond occasional hammering from, the leisurely construction of the outer harbour wall and once or twice the siren of a signalling steamer entering the docks, there was nothing to disturb them at all.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading He kicked a pebble discontentedly into the water, and turned to look, at Arnold.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
in the company of; together with
From this reading While he was so occupied Arnold appeared with a pipe, but, seeing him engaged, went back for a novel and a deck-chair.
