used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
asternadverb
stern foremost or backward
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
dipverbUS /dɪp/
immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
forbore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
and nothing more
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
the light of the Moon
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
of an obscure nature
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
oarnounUS /ɔːr/
an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
oar's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
in the near future
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/
an event that repeats
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
cut with a saw
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
SeagullnounUS /ˈsiːɡʌl/
mostly white aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
transport commercially
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
snail'snounUS /sneɪlz/
possessive form of “snail” — freshwater or marine or terrestrial gastropod mollusk usually having an external enclosing spiral shell
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
softestadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːftəst/
superlative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
having a supporting base
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It came presently—the mere rustle of the drops as they slid off the oar’s blade—and a small boat stole from the shadows astern and crept to our side.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading At a snail’s pace the boat glided along our side until it was just beneath me, when I could see a blot in the moonlight that resembled a human form.
vigilantadjectiveUS /ˈvɪdʒələnt/
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
look attentively
From this reading I glanced along the rail and saw, a few paces away, the dim form of the watch, alert and vigilant; but the man knew I was there, and forbore to hail the mysterious craft below.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
at the time that
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
in or at the place that
From this reading I was standing on the deck of the _Seagull_, looking over the rail and peering into the moonlight that flooded the bay where we lay at anchor, when the soft dip of an oar caught my ear.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It was the softest dip in the world, stealthy as that of an Indian, and in the silence that reigned aboard ship I stood motionless, listening for a repetition of the sound.
