used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
ballastnounUS /ˈbæləst/
any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Little skiffs had flitted in the night through the darkness of the bay.
BIDSnounUS /bɪdz/
plural of “bid” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading MIRREN STUART BIDS HER DOG LIE DOWN.
burialnounUS /ˈberiəl/
the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
cargoesnounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊz/
plural of “cargo” — goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Little skiffs had flitted in the night through the darkness of the bay.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading MIRREN STUART BIDS HER DOG LIE DOWN.
Donal's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading MIRREN STUART BIDS HER DOG LIE DOWN.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little skiffs had flitted in the night through the darkness of the bay.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MIRREN STUART BIDS HER DOG LIE DOWN.
not accessible to view
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
LairdnounUS /lerd/
a landowner
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
lassnounUS /læs/
a girl or young woman who is unmarried
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading MIRREN STUART BIDS HER DOG LIE DOWN.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little skiffs had flitted in the night through the darkness of the bay.
mainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
McGilp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
McKelvie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
McKinnon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
MIRREN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MIRREN STUART BIDS HER DOG LIE DOWN.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Little skiffs had flitted in the night through the darkness of the bay.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
portsnounUS /pɔːrts/
plural of “port” — a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
prizedverbUS /praɪzd/
past form of “prize” — hold dear
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
QuaynounUS /kiː/
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
Ronny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
SeagullnounUS /ˈsiːɡʌl/
mostly white aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
From this reading The _Seagull_ was at anchor now over near Donal's Point, for McGilp had much business to attend to.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
skiffsnounUS /skɪfs/
plural of “skiff” — any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading Little skiffs had flitted in the night through the darkness of the bay.
smackverbUS /smæk/
deliver a hard blow to
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
smacksmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
STUARTnounUS /ˈstuːərt/
United States painter best known for his portraits of George Washington (1755-1828)
From this reading MIRREN STUART BIDS HER DOG LIE DOWN.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The cove was empty, and in the sand ballast of many a smack sailing for the mainland ports, there was that hidden that the smacksmen prized more than their honest cargoes of coal or potatoes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Little skiffs had flitted in the night through the darkness of the bay.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was after the burial of the Red Laird that we returned to the Quay Inn in McKelvie's skiff, and this time we had McKelvie's lass and Ronny McKinnon with us.
