used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/
towards the shore from the water
From this reading We must fall into the water and swim ashore.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
bird'snounUS /bɜːrdz/
possessive form of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
eggsnounUS /eɡz/
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading We must fall into the water and swim ashore.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
gulliesnounUS /ˈɡʌliz/
plural of “gully” — deep ditch cut by running water (especially after a prolonged downpour)
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
only a very short time before
From this reading Hardly a tree or a shrub was in sight.
not accessible to view
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
ten 10s
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hardly a tree or a shrub was in sight.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The island was now quite near.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
moundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading We must fall into the water and swim ashore.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The island was now quite near.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The island was now quite near.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Hardly a tree or a shrub was in sight.
precipices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The island was now quite near.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
shrubnounUS /ʃrʌb/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Hardly a tree or a shrub was in sight.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Hardly a tree or a shrub was in sight.
smashverbUS /smæʃ/
hit hard
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
move hurridly
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading We must fall into the water and swim ashore.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The island was now quite near.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Hardly a tree or a shrub was in sight.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The island was now quite near.
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 “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We must fall into the water and swim ashore.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds.
