used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
adventurersnounUS /ædˈventʃərərz/
plural of “adventurer” — a person who enjoys taking risks
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
any thing at all
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
BelowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/
reveal unintentionally
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
blue-dyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
clingverbUS /klɪŋ/
come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
cloudyadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdi/
lacking definite form or limits
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
consistingverbUS /kənˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “consist” — originate
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
CrispinnounUS /ˈkrɪspɪn/
patron saint of shoemakers; he and his brother were martyred for trying to spread Christianity (3rd century)
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
farenounUS /fer/
an agenda of things to do
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
glooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
illumes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
jacketsnounUS /ˈdʒækɪts/
plural of “jacket” — a short coat
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
not any; not one
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
a strong line
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
rufflingverbUS /ˈrʌfəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “ruffle” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
seawardadjectiveUS /ˈsiːwərd/
(of winds) coming from the land
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
sombrelyadverb
in a somber manner
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
strandnounUS /strænd/
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
tell-tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
tight-fittingadjective
fitting snugly
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
up to a particular time
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
untannedadjective
not converted to leather by a tanning agent
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
vaporsnounUS /ˈveɪpərz/
a state of depression
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
veiledadjectiveUS /veɪld/
having or as if having a veil or concealing cover
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
warmlyadverbUS /ˈwɔːrmli/
in a hearty manner
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fortunately for the success of the enterprise, the sky was cloudy, so that the moon, thickly veiled by vapors, was unable to betray the adventurers by her tell-tale light.
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 A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The night is dark, The cliff is high, No moon illumes The cloudy sky; Below we mark The fearful glooms Which in their night Hide sombrely the way of flight.
a Caucasian
From this reading A strong breeze was blowing seaward from the land and ruffling the surface of the black water to ragged caps of white, which promised anything but a pleasant journey to Crispin and his companion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To slender rope We cling with dread, And hanging there As by a thread, With fearful hope We downward fare, Till on the strand In safety for a time we land.
woolnounUS /wʊl/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading They were warmly clothed in thick garments of blue-dyed wool, consisting of tight-fitting jackets and loose trousers, tucked into high boots of untanned leather.
