used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
Allerton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
AndersennounUS /ˈændərsən/
a Danish author remembered for his fairy stories (1805-1875)
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
move towards
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The air was warm and mild; the sea at rest.
for the reason that
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
bulwarks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
coins made of gold
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
destroyed or killed
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
HansnounUS /hɑːns/
plural of “han” — imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time from 206 BC to AD 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of Chinese civilization
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
and nothing more
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
lazilyadverbUS /ˈlæzəli/
in a slow and lazy manner
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
Letty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
held up in the air
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
mermaidnounUS /ˈmɜːrmeɪd/
half woman and half fish; lives in the sea
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading The air was warm and mild; the sea at rest.
not any; not one
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
and nothing more
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The air was warm and mild; the sea at rest.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
rose-tingedadjective
of a color tinged with rose
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The air was warm and mild; the sea at rest.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
transport commercially
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading "The sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
unfurledverbUS /ənˈfɜːrld/
past form of “unfurl” — unroll, unfold, or spread out or be unrolled, unfolded, or spread out from a furled state
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The air was warm and mild; the sea at rest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Letty had not heard Allerton's entrance or approach because for the first time in her life she was lost in the magic of Hans Andersen.
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 sun had just gone down as the little mermaid lifted her head above the water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The clouds were brilliant in purple and gold, and through the pale, rose-tinged air the evening star shone clear and bright.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A great ship with three masts lay close by, only one sail unfurled, for there was no breath of air, and the sailors sat aloft in the rigging or leaned lazily over the bulwarks.
