used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
on or to one side
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
blazedverbUS /bleɪzd/
past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
fearless and daring
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
put or send forth
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
DusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
fadingnounUS /ˈfeɪdɪŋ/
weakening in force or intensity
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
gangplanknounUS /ˈɡæŋplæŋk/
a temporary bridge for getting on and off a vessel at dockside
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
a young female
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
immediately past
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
a female domestic
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
mooringsnounUS /ˈmuːrɪŋz/
plural of “mooring” — a place where a craft can be made fast
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
go across or through
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
a strong line
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
shedsnounUS /ʃedz/
plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
sidewheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
splashverbUS /splæʃ/
cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
spotlesslyadverb
in a spotless manner
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
tiersnounUS /tiːrz/
plural of “tier” — a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
toweredverbUS /ˈtaʊərd/
past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
a Caucasian
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
belonging to which person
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
