used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
Brannock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
Brannock-buoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
Brannocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
crocusnounUS /ˈkroʊkəs/
any of numerous low-growing plants of the genus Crocus having slender grasslike leaves and white or yellow or purple flowers; native chiefly to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
a social unit living together
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
fellow-men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
homeward-boundadjective
oriented toward home
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
Innishmore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
isletsnounUS /ˈaɪlɪts/
plural of “islet” — a small island
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
isolationnounUS /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
a state of separation between persons or groups
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
mainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
netsnounUS /nets/
plural of “net” — a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
not any; not one
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
northwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
and nothing more
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
bring forth or yield
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
profuselyadverbUS /prəˈfjuːsli/
in an abundant manner
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
only a very short time before
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
transport commercially
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
subsistencenounUS /səbˈsɪstəns/
minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A little to the northwest of the island of Innishmore are scattered a number of small islets, some scarcely more than barren rocks, called the Brannocks.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of these alone was inhabited, and that by a single family.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
at the time that
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
which person or people
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading No isolation could be more complete than that of these poor people, who thus dwelt amid the wide waste of waters, never seeing the face of a stranger, and only at long intervals visiting the mainland.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Indeed the only intercourse they could be said to maintain with their fellow-men was when by chance they fell in with some homeward-bound ship at sea, and sold the little produce of their nets; for they lived by fishing, and had no other subsistence.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The largest of these islands was called “Brannock-buoy,” or the Yellow Brannock, from the flower of a kind of crocus which grew profusely over it.
