used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
anew
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
in a state of sleep
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
terminate
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
breathings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
someone who is a detective
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
ebbverbUS /eb/
flow back or recede
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
FÊTE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
only a very short time before
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
Katafa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
lagoonnounUS /ləˈɡuːn/
a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
the light of the Moon
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
moonlitadjectiveUS /ˈmuːnlɪt/
lighted by moonlight
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
scullnounUS /skʌl/
a long oar that is mounted at the stern of a boat and moved left and right to propel the boat forward
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
showeringverbUS /ˈʃaʊərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shower” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
slewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
not in physical motion
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
swirlverbUS /swɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
carry out
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He pushed off with a scull and before he could take his seat again, the current, lazy though it looked, had slewed the bow of the little boat right round.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the break it was racing strong, but here the water seemed hardly to move.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
untiedadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪd/
not tied
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
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 FÊTE OF DEATH It was close on midnight and the ebb, running strong, showed through the branches an occasional lazy swirl on the moonlit lagoon water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
at the time that
From this reading They had settled to get away when the schooner people were asleep, but sleep was far from the island that night, to judge by the vague sounds that came from the east between the breathings of the wind.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The wind still held from the north, and as Dick untied from the tree roots, it parted and closed the branches above, showering Katafa with moonlight and shadow.
