1854
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
1855
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was forgotten.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was forgotten.
actualadjectiveUS /ˈæktʃəwəl/
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO.
baynounUS /beɪ/
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was forgotten.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was forgotten.
eventfuladjectiveUS /ɪˈventfəl/
full of events or incidents
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
ExcelsiornounUS /ɪkˈselsiər/
thin curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was forgotten.
FortnounUS /fɔːrt/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
FRANCISCO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO.
GatenounUS /ɡeɪt/
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
GoldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
immigrationnounUS /ˌɪməˈɡreɪʃən/
migration into a place (especially migration to a country of which you are not a native in order to settle there)
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
incomingadjectiveUS /ˈɪnkʌmɪŋ/
arriving at a place or position
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was forgotten.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
MOURNERSnounUS /ˈmɔːrnərz/
plural of “mourner” — a person who is feeling grief (as grieving over someone who has died)
From this reading THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
operatornounUS /ˈɑːpəreɪtər/
(mathematics) a symbol or function representing a mathematical operation
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
ownersnounUS /ˈoʊnərz/
plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
PointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
portalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/
a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
rewardnounUS /rɪˈwɔːrd/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
SAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
semaphoreverb
send signals by or as if by semaphore
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was forgotten.
shipsnounUS /ʃɪps/
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
shownverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/
that is looked for
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
stimulatedadjectiveUS /ˈstɪmjəleɪtɪd/
emotionally aroused
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
sunsetnounUS /ˈsʌnset/
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
telegraphnounUS /ˈteləɡræf/
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was forgotten.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since given up hope of the Excelsior.
vesselnounUS /ˈvesəl/
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
white-winged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them.
zealnounUS /ziːl/
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading During the months of September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships.
