Chapter XII

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

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

a jumbled collection or mass

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

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

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

a person's social heritage: previous experience or training

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

plural of “background” — a person's social heritage: previous experience or training

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

past form of “bank” — tip laterally

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

lacking funds

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

plural of “buttress” — a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

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

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

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

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

being all around the edges; enclosing

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

continuing forever without end

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

the organ of sight

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

an encircling or ringlike structure

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

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

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

of the color of black ink

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

horrible in fierceness or savagery

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

not any; not one

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

a brief written record

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

last or greatest in an indefinitely large series

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

fully extended especially in length

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

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

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

plural of “shaft” — a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

cover as if with a shroud

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

separate into parts or portions

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

plural of “structure” — a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

placed on or over something else

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

waves breaking on the shore

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

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

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

a town in northwestern Greenland; during World War II a United States naval base was built there

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

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

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.

a three-legged rack used for support

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

the last syllable in a word

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

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

From this reading Against this background lay the Grand Fleet, an agglomeration of tripod masts and superimposed structures, as familiar a feature of the scene as the surf that broke endlessly about the cliffs, or the unappeased calling of the gulls.

not known or well known

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

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

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

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

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Great buttresses of cloud, inky black with their burden of unshed snow, were banked about the sunset.

toward the west

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

in or at the place that

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

a Caucasian

From this reading The snow that had fallen during the past week rested like a shroud upon peak and headland, promontory and cliff-top, encircling the sombre waters of Ultima Thule with a dazzling white girdle.

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading A little to the westward, however, where the cloud-masonry was split and reft by crimson shafts of light, an outstretched wing of the vast battle fleet struck an oddly unfamiliar note.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE NTH BATTLE SQUADRON No propaganda poster artist with an eye to lurid backgrounds could have secured such an effect.