used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
brought into existence
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
a youthful male person
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
ebbverbUS /eb/
flow back or recede
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
Fecamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
fishing-lugger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
fleecyadjectiveUS /ˈfliːsi/
(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
fog-banks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
gauzenounUS /ɡɔːz/
(medicine) bleached cotton cloth of plain weave used for bandages and dressings
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
huskyadjectiveUS /ˈhʌski/
muscular and heavily built
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/
plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading And now he had that mournful satisfaction which is the special privilege of the pessimistic.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
nightfallnounUS /ˈnaɪtfɔːl/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
northwardadverbUS /ˈnɔːrθwərd/
in a northern direction
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now he had that mournful satisfaction which is the special privilege of the pessimistic.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
pessimisticadjectiveUS /ˌpesəˈmɪstɪk/
expecting the worst possible outcome
From this reading And now he had that mournful satisfaction which is the special privilege of the pessimistic.
pestnounUS /pest/
a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
predictedverbUS /prɪˈdɪktɪd/
past form of “predict” — make a prediction about; tell in advance
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
privilegenounUS /ˈprɪvlədʒ/
a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
From this reading And now he had that mournful satisfaction which is the special privilege of the pessimistic.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading And now he had that mournful satisfaction which is the special privilege of the pessimistic.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
spars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading And now he had that mournful satisfaction which is the special privilege of the pessimistic.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
ThamesnounUS /temz/
the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading These fog-banks, the pest of the east coast, are the materials that form the light fleecy clouds which drift westward in sunny weather like a gauze veil across the face of the sky.
in or at the place that
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And now he had that mournful satisfaction which is the special privilege of the pessimistic.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A large French fishing-lugger was drifting northward on the ebb tide with its sails flapping idly against the spars.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading It had been a fine morning, and the Captain, a man from Fecamp, where every boy that is born is born a sailor, had been fortunate in working his way in clear weather across the banks that lie northward of the Thames.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had predicted all along in a voice rendered husky by much shouting in dirty weather that the fog-banks would be drifting in from the sea before nightfall.
