used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They had soon an opportunity of ascertaining her character.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
ascertainingverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “ascertain” — establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading They had soon an opportunity of ascertaining her character.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading They had soon an opportunity of ascertaining her character.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was still early in the day.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was still early in the day.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
furling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
the act of departing
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had soon an opportunity of ascertaining her character.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They had soon an opportunity of ascertaining her character.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was still early in the day.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was still early in the day.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
come into possession of
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading They had soon an opportunity of ascertaining her character.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
with speed
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
transport commercially
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
in the near future
From this reading They had soon an opportunity of ascertaining her character.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was still early in the day.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had soon an opportunity of ascertaining her character.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At length she stood into the bay, and, furling her sails, came to an anchor.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached the shore, under a wide spread of canvas.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind was at that time sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and she floated calmly on the smooth waters.
