used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
blotsnounUS /blɑːts/
plural of “blot” — a blemish made by dirt
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
a youthful male person
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
Brading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
chugverbUS /tʃʌɡ/
make a dull, explosive sound
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
differentiatedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪfərˈenʃieɪtɪd/
made different (especially in the course of development) or shown to be different
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
estuarynounUS /ˈestʃuːeri/
the wide part of a river where it nears the sea; fresh and salt water mix
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
HarborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
huddleverbUS /ˈhʌdəl/
crowd or draw together
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
laconicallyadverb
in a dry laconic manner
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
a boy or man
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
rowedverbUS /roʊd/
past form of “row” — propel with oars
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
only a very short time before
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
shoresnounUS /ʃɔːrz/
plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
slowedverbUS /sloʊd/
past form of “slow” — lose velocity; move more slowly
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
sprinkledverbUS /ˈsprɪŋkəld/
past form of “sprinkle” — distribute loosely
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading The lad pulled steadily, with but an occasional glance at the shore.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The engines of the motor boat slowed, gave a final chug, and stopped.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
trailedverbUS /treɪld/
past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Brading Harbor,” remarked our boy guide laconically, as he threw the anchor, and stepped to the stern to pull in the skiff that trailed after us.
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 Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A huddle of buildings lifting on our left changed from blots of blackness into shadowy outlines, sprinkled here and there with light, as we rowed in.
Yar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us lay the estuary of the Yar, its black water scarcely differentiated in color from the dark shores that rose above it.
