used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/
towards the shore from the water
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
bating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
Boconnoc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
boldnessnounUS /ˈboʊldnəs/
the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
the lower side of anything
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
creeknounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
one or the other of two
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading The tide was flowing.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
fordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
ten 10s
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
oarnounUS /ɔːr/
an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
outpostnounUS /ˈaʊtpoʊst/
a station in a remote or sparsely populated location
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A heavy fog lay over the hills, as it had lain for nights.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
precisely, exactly
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
Royalists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
scullnounUS /skʌl/
a long oar that is mounted at the stern of a boat and moved left and right to propel the boat forward
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
carry out
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
express in words
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The tide was flowing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
in the direction of
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
precisely as stated
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The tide was flowing.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
in or at the place that
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If we could reach and right it without being discovered, either one of us was clever enough, with an oar over the stern, to scull noiselessly across to the entrance of a creek where the current would take us up towards Boconnoc between banks held on either side by Royalists; to whom, if they surprised us, we could tell our business.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading My father's boat had been dragged ashore and lay bottom upwards under a cliff about three hundred yards above the ford.
but in spite of that
From this reading Her boldness took away my breath: yet as she whispered her plan it did not seem impossible or, bating the chance of being shot by a stray outpost, so very dangerous.
