used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was windless.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
from appearances alone
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
basinnounUS /ˈbeɪsən/
a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The sun beat down upon the glasslike water.
becalmedadjectiveUS /bɪˈkɑːmd/
rendered motionless for lack of wind
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The sun beat down upon the glasslike water.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/
planned and made or fashioned artistically
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
glasslike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beat down upon the glasslike water.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
hatchesnounUS /ˈhætʃɪz/
plural of “hatch” — the production of young from an egg
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
junctionnounUS /ˈdʒʌŋkʃən/
the place where two or more things come together
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
oilyadjectiveUS /ˈɔɪli/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
a person who is being chased
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
pursuernounUS /pərˈsuːər/
a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
quaintlyadverbUS /ˈkweɪntli/
in a strange but not unpleasant manner
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
ricenounUS /raɪs/
grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
riversnounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
without speaking
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun beat down upon the glasslike water.
swamp-riven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
push forcefully
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
turgidadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrdʒɪd/
ostentatiously lofty in style
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Further movement seemed impossible until from the smaller boat, through unexpectedly opened hatches, half a dozen oars were suddenly thrust into the water.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The sun beat down upon the glasslike water.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
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 The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The country through which they passed was swamp-riven and desolate, though in the far distance were rice fields and the curiously fashioned roofs of a Chinese village.
belonging to which person
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
windlessadjective
without or almost without wind
From this reading The air was windless.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The two ships, pursuer and pursued, quaintly shaped, with heavy, flapping sails, lay apparently becalmed in a sort of natural basin formed by the junction of two silently flowing, turgid rivers--rivers whose water was thick and oily, yellow in colour, unpleasant to look at.
