used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “Hope nothing hits the bar to-night,” Downs answered.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
Baley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading “Hope nothing hits the bar to-night,” Downs answered.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
buttonedadjectiveUS /ˈbʌtənd/
furnished or closed with buttons or something buttonlike
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
candle-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
Coston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
DownsnounUS /daʊnz/
plural of “down” — soft fine feathers
From this reading “Hope nothing hits the bar to-night,” Downs answered.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
driftwoodnounUS /ˈdrɪftwʊd/
wood that is floating or that has been washed ashore
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
hip-boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
hitsnounUS /hɪts/
plural of “hit” — (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
From this reading “Hope nothing hits the bar to-night,” Downs answered.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “Hope nothing hits the bar to-night,” Downs answered.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “Hope nothing hits the bar to-night,” Downs answered.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
oilskins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
sandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
snarlverbUS /snɑːrl/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
strandnounUS /strænd/
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
surfnounUS /sɜːrf/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
surfmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
tidaladjectiveUS /ˈtaɪdəl/
of or relating to or caused by tides
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Hope nothing hits the bar to-night,” Downs answered.
trudgedverbUS /trʌdʒd/
past form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
look attentively
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
wave-beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
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 Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
Wind'snounUS /wɪndz/
possessive form of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading “Wind’s blowing some,” observed Baley, raising his voice so that he could be heard above the angry snarl of the surf.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading Then the surfmen trudged off in opposite directions, following the line of the wave-beaten strand, each carrying on his back a recording clock in a leather case, several candle-like Coston lights, and a wooden handle.
but in spite of that
From this reading Darkness was slow in coming, so they were not yet in imminent peril from shifting sands, driftwood, or tidal waves.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading With oilskins buttoned tightly and hip-boots drawn up, Jim Downs and his youthful comrades fought the stiff breeze on their watch.
