used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
blurverbUS /blɜːr/
become glassy; lose clear vision
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Conversation failed.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
ebullitionnoun
an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading There was no ebullition of spirits.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
opinion or judgment
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Conversation failed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
not accessible to view
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
Highflyers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
held up in the air
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
low-lyingadjective
having a small elevation above the ground or horizon or sea level
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
the force of workers available
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no ebullition of spirits.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
on the contrary
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
slate-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
solidifyingnounUS /səˈlɪdəfaɪɪŋ/
the process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading There was no ebullition of spirits.
the season of growth
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
happening unexpectedly
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no ebullition of spirits.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
voyagersnounUS /ˈvɔɪɪdʒərz/
plural of “voyager” — a traveler to a distant land (especially one who travels by sea)
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no ebullition of spirits.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ Those low-lying hills were France!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence.
