Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

later than; following

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

(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 LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

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

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

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

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

darkened by smoke

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

showing careful forethought

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

plural of “coaster” — a resident of a coastal area

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

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

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

coming down freely under the influence of gravity

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

a small fragment of something broken off from the whole

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

a church congregation guided by a pastor

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

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

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

an angular or rounded shape made by folding

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

a town in northeastern Massachusetts on Cape Ann to the northeast of Boston; the harbor has been a fishing center for centuries

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

a large number or amount

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

crowded or massed together

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

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

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

and nothing more

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

with full knowledge and deliberation

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

flesh of very important usually small (to 18 in) fatty Atlantic fish

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the middle of the day

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the northwestern region of the United States

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

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

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

rushing about hastily in an undignified way

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

plural of “schooner” — a large beer glass

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

moving with great haste

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

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

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

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

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

coming from the southeast

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

(music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

the rays of the sun

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

diminish gradually

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

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

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

made or having become thick

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

plural of “thwart” — a crosspiece spreading the gunnels of a boat; used as a seat in a rowboat

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

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

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

cut short in duration

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

having passed out of existence

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent

From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

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

From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.

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

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

in or at the place that

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

(of hair) having lost its color

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading LITERATURE AND LIFE--Staccato Notes of a Vanished Summer Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.

plural of “yacht” — an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing

From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.