used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
ArcticnounUS /ˈɑːrktɪk/
the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The island itself was melting like a snowbank beneath a summer sun.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
century-old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
Chukalook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
clankverbUS /klæŋk/
make a clank
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
FILIBUSTERnounUS /ˈfɪləbʌstər/
a legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposes
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
fire-engine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
forcefuladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrsfəl/
characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical)
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
set up or found
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
fur-bearingadjective
of animals having fur (especially of commercial quality)
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
grindingnounUS /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/
material resulting from the process of grinding
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
hauntsnounUS /hɔːnts/
plural of “haunt” — a frequently visited place
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
hissesnounUS /ˈhɪsɪz/
plural of “hiss” — a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
hosenounUS /hoʊz/
socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
hummingnounUS /ˈhʌmɪŋ/
a humming noise
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
hydraulicadjectiveUS /haɪˈdrɔːlɪk/
moved or operated or effected by liquid (water or oil)
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
immeasurablyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmeʒəræbli/
to an immeasurable degree; beyond measurement
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
Ingalook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
isolatedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsəleɪtəd/
not close together in time
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The island itself was melting like a snowbank beneath a summer sun.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
jetsnounUS /dʒets/
plural of “jet” — an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The island itself was melting like a snowbank beneath a summer sun.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
meltingnounUS /ˈmeltɪŋ/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading The island itself was melting like a snowbank beneath a summer sun.
millsnounUS /mɪlz/
United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
nozzlesnounUS /ˈnɑːzəlz/
plural of “nozzle” — a projecting spout from which a fluid is discharged
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
otternounUS /ˈɑːtər/
the fur of an otter
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
polaradjectiveUS /ˈpoʊlər/
having a pair of equal and opposite charges
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
poundingnounUS /ˈpaʊndɪŋ/
repeated heavy blows
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
retreatednounUS /riˈtriːtəd/
people who have retreated
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/
past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
sealverbUS /siːl/
make tight; secure against leakage
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
seasonsnounUS /ˈsiːzənz/
plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
shyest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
SIBERIANnounUS /saɪˈbɪriən/
a native or inhabitant of Siberia
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
smashverbUS /smæʃ/
hit hard
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
snowbanknoun
a mound or heap of snow
From this reading The island itself was melting like a snowbank beneath a summer sun.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
spoutverbUS /spaʊt/
gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The island itself was melting like a snowbank beneath a summer sun.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The island itself was melting like a snowbank beneath a summer sun.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
ternsnounUS /tɜːrnz/
plural of “tern” — small slender gull having narrow wings and a forked tail
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
three-inch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
very small
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
vengefullyadverb
in a vindictive, revengeful manner
From this reading A three-inch jet of water, immeasurably more powerful than the forceful spout that hisses from a fire-engine hose, roared vengefully night and day against the gravel bank, and ate away the hill.
vibratingverbUS /ˈvaɪbreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “vibrate” — shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The clank of machinery, the pounding of stamp mills, and the grinding smash of giant jets of water driven from hydraulic nozzles, set vibrating the tiny islands on the borders of the Arctic Ocean.
which person or people
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A SIBERIAN FILIBUSTER By July, Chukalook Bank was humming with noise.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The terns and gulls, driven from their century-old refuge, circled over the little spot of land with shrill cries and fled to nest on Ingalook; polar bears, who, in other seasons, had found a dinner of fat seal on Chukalook, swam toward the island from floating cakes of ice, and then retreated hurriedly; the sea otter, shyest of all the fur-bearing creatures of the world, sped to more isolated haunts.
