used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
anchoragenounUS /ˈæŋkərədʒ/
the condition of being secured to a base
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
ArabnounUS /ˈærəb/
a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
Archie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
burnousnoun
a long hooded cloak woven of wool in one piece; worn by Arabs and Moors
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
make calm or still
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
discernverbUS /dɪˈsɜːrn/
detect with the senses
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
distancesnounUS /ˈdɪstənsəz/
plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
docknounUS /dɑːk/
an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
emphasizeverbUS /ˈemfəsaɪz/
to stress, single out as important
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
especialadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
opinion or judgment
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was fully six feet tall and splendidly formed.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading He was fully six feet tall and splendidly formed.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
set up or found
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading He was fully six feet tall and splendidly formed.
a long fixed look
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was fully six feet tall and splendidly formed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
impassiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsɪv/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/
making a strong or vivid impression
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
in motion
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
being perceived or observed
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
poseverbUS /poʊz/
introduce
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
quaynounUS /kiː/
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
with low volume
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
regainverbUS /rɪˈɡeɪn/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
cut with a saw
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
SeagullnounUS /ˈsiːɡʌl/
mostly white aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading He was fully six feet tall and splendidly formed.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
splendidlyadverbUS /ˈsplendədli/
extremely well
From this reading He was fully six feet tall and splendidly formed.
having a supporting base
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He was fully six feet tall and splendidly formed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
turbannounUS /ˈtɜːrbən/
a traditional Muslim headdress consisting of a long scarf wrapped around the head
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As Archie and I returned along the quay from the custom house, to regain our boat, I noticed standing upon the edge of the dock the solitary but impressive figure of an Arab.
a vivid mental image
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was fully six feet tall and splendidly formed.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
a Caucasian
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading His dirty white burnous was wrapped around him in a way to emphasize the dignity of his pose, and his handsome countenance was calm and impassive.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading From beneath the ample folds of a black and yellow turban two wide dark eyes were set on a point of vision across the bay, and following his gaze I saw that it was directed toward the _Seagull_ lying at her anchorage.
but in spite of that
From this reading These eyes, accustomed to the distances of the desert, might be stronger than my own, yet I myself found that I could discern dark forms moving about upon our deck, and one in especial—was it the Professor?—was leaning quietly over the side nearest the quay.
