used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
having companions or an escort
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
BrucenounUS /bruːs/
Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)
From this reading Bruce handled the sail, Ray steered, and Ganawa used his paddle.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
cloudlessadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdləs/
free from clouds
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
easterlyadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərli/
lying in or toward the east
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
set up or found
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
Ganawa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
Ganawa's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
handledadjectiveUS /ˈhændəld/
having a usually specified type of handle
From this reading Bruce handled the sail, Ray steered, and Ganawa used his paddle.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
lazilyadverbUS /ˈlæzəli/
in a slow and lazy manner
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
Michipicoten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
paddleverbUS /ˈpædəl/
propel with a paddle
From this reading Bruce handled the sail, Ray steered, and Ganawa used his paddle.
PIRATEnounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
RaynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Bruce handled the sail, Ray steered, and Ganawa used his paddle.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Bruce handled the sail, Ray steered, and Ganawa used his paddle.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
SAILINGnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
steeredverbUS /stɪrd/
past form of “steer” — direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
From this reading Bruce handled the sail, Ray steered, and Ganawa used his paddle.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
townounUS /toʊ/
the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Bruce handled the sail, Ray steered, and Ganawa used his paddle.
precisely as stated
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sky was almost cloudless, and a few white gulls lazily accompanied the travellers as if they were curious about the strange craft that had appeared on their own blue sea.
at the time that
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
a Caucasian
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Ganawa’s heart nearly failed him when he found how strongly the wind blew after they had cleared the sheltered bay.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading SAILING THE “PIRATE” A few days later with a gentle easterly breeze Ganawa and his white sons sailed for Michipicoten Island with their bark canoe in tow.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading As Ray watched them gracefully sailing around the boat, he wondered very much how they could sail up and down, back and forth without any apparent motion of their wings.
