Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

in the past

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

(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 The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

(of a current) reversing direction

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

any person at all

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

plural of “cadet” — a military trainee (as at a military academy)

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

marked by continuous change or effective action

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

official routes of communication

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

third-person singular of “dwindle” — become smaller or lose substance

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

one or the other of two

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

a wide scope

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

long and light rowing boat; especially for racing

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

having a crew

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

deficient in amount or quality or extent

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

connected with or belonging to or used in a navy

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

moving with great haste

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

plural of “shoot” — a new branch

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.

in a steep manner

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

of or relating to or caused by tides

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

with twists and turns

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

given a completely different form or appearance

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

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 The hills on either side slope steeply down to the edge of the water, oak and beech and elm clustering thick on the one hand, red plough, green shoots, and golden corn-fields alternating on the other through all the changing seasons.

United States telephone engineer who assisted Alexander Graham Bell in his experiments (1854-1934)

From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ ROYAL NAVY.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

marked by repeated turns and bends

From this reading The creek is tidal, transformed at half-flood into a fair expanse of shimmering water; at low tide, however, it dwindles to a score of meagre channels winding tortuously through whale-backed mudbanks, the haunt of scurrying crabs and meditative heron.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Anyone familiar with the River Dart knows the Mill Creek.

a late time of life

From this reading Here, one afternoon in midsummer some dozen years ago, came a gig (or, in local parlance, a “blue-boat”) manned by seven flannel-clad cadets from the Naval College.