used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
audacitynounUS /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/
A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
BellenounUS /bel/
a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
blendedadjectiveUS /ˈblendɪd/
combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
cablenounUS /ˈkeɪbəl/
a telegram sent abroad
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
carelessnessnounUS /ˈkerləsnəs/
the quality of not being careful or taking pains
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
crowningadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊnɪŋ/
representing a level of the highest possible achievement or attainment
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
devisedverbUS /dɪˈvaɪzd/
past form of “devise” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
easternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
an opposing military force
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
etchedadjectiveUS /etʃt/
cut or impressed into a surface
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
only a very short time before
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
Helene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
a brief written record
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
oncomingadjectiveUS /ˈɔːnkʌmɪŋ/
moving toward one
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
shippingnounUS /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/
the commercial enterprise of moving goods and materials
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
sky-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
tonnagenounUS /ˈtʌnədʒ/
a tax imposed on ships that enter the US; based on the tonnage of the ship
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
two times
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
unimportantadjectiveUS /ənɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
not important
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
(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 Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
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 The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
