used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
in actual fact
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
aërial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
ball-ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
breakersnounUS /ˈbreɪkərz/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
outflew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
Perkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
Scuddingnoun
the act of moving along swiftly (as before a gale)
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
in the near future
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
spiedverbUS /spaɪd/
inflected form of “spy” — catch sight of
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He soon spied a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far from the center of the city.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In fact, it appeared to the boys that they actually outflew the wind.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land.
voyagersnounUS /ˈvɔɪɪdʒərz/
plural of “voyager” — a traveler to a distant land (especially one who travels by sea)
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At any rate, it was not long before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them that they were close to the shore.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
wracknounUS /ræk/
dried seaweed especially that cast ashore
From this reading Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
