Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As to its geographical position, this is sufficient.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

the act of closing something

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading The force has been at work at other points of the coast as well.

plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

for a limitless time

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

extremely impressive in strength or excellence

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

worry unnecessarily or excessively

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

of or relating to the science of geography

From this reading As to its geographical position, this is sufficient.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

-ing form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The force has been at work at other points of the coast as well.

plural of “hide” — the dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading As to its geographical position, this is sufficient.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading As to its geographical position, this is sufficient.

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

go away from a place

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

in a northern direction

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

and nothing more

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The force has been at work at other points of the coast as well.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading The force has been at work at other points of the coast as well.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading As to its geographical position, this is sufficient.

having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

any competition

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

show unwillingness towards

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

building material used as siding or roofing

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

in or at or to some place

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

toward the south

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

take away possessions from someone

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading As to its geographical position, this is sufficient.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading As to its geographical position, this is sufficient.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

of great force or power

From this reading At low tide a narrow strip of black shingle shows between the nearer of these titanic fragments and the face of the cliff.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading At the back of a deep cleft in the formidable cliffs, somewhere between Cape Race to the southward and St. John's to the northward, hides the little hamlet of Chance Along.

work hard

From this reading In the green sea in front of the cleft, and almost closing the mouth of it, lie a number of great boulders, as if the breech in the solid cliff had been made by some giant force that had broken and dragged forth the primeval rock, only to leave the refuse of its toil to lie forever in the edge of the tide, to fret the gnawing currents.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The force has been at work at other points of the coast as well.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The force has been at work at other points of the coast as well.