used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
AlongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
auks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
beatsnounUS /biːts/
a United States youth subculture of the 1950s; rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop)
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
catapultsnounUS /ˈkætəpəlts/
plural of “catapult” — a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
chirrupnoun
a series of chirps
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
clamorverbUS /ˈklæmər/
make loud demands
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
cooverbUS /kuː/
speak softly or lovingly
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
corrodedadjectiveUS /kərˈoʊdɪd/
eaten away as by acid or oxidation
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
crevicesnounUS /ˈkrevəsɪz/
plural of “crevice” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
downy-winged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
floes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
fugitively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
brought together in one place
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
glacialadjectiveUS /ˈɡleɪʃəl/
relating to or derived from a glacier
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
grottos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
guillemots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
incessantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsesəntli/
with unflagging resolve
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
inlandadjectiveUS /ˈɪnlænd/
situated away from an area's coast or border
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
inrushing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
iron-chiselled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
joyouslyadverb
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
matingnounUS /ˈmeɪtɪŋ/
the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
become covered with mist
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
moss-ensconced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
oogzooks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
precipitouslyadverbUS /ˌpriːˈsɪpɪtəsli/
very suddenly and to a great degree
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
purrverbUS /pɜːr/
make a soft swishing sound
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
resemblingverbUS /rɪˈzembəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
ribbonsnounUS /ˈrɪbənz/
plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
move upward
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
rustverbUS /rʌst/
become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
summertimenounUS /ˈsʌmərtaɪm/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Above, in summertime, rises and falls constantly a black mist resembling shifting cloud smoke.
swarmnounUS /swɔːrm/
a moving crowd
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Millions of auks swarm from their moss-ensconced grottos; an oppressive clamor beats the air.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
in or at the place that
From this reading To the south of where the watchers were gathered, the glacial heels of the inland mountains step precipitously into the sea and rise to a height of several thousand feet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the base of these iron rocks, corroded with the rust of interminable ages, the fragments of great floes, like catapults, are tossed by the inrushing sea.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Along the ocean, where crevices of the descending iron-chiselled cliffs are fugitively green with ribbons of pale grass, downy-winged ducks purr, mating guillemots coo incessantly, and tremulous oogzooks chirrup joyously to their young.
