used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
arm'snounUS /ɑːrmz/
possessive form of “arm” — a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
barbariannounUS /bɑːrˈberiən/
a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
completely unclothed
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
bizarreadjectiveUS /bəˈzɑːr/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
blasphemousadjectiveUS /ˈblæsfəməs/
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
bowspritnoun
a spar projecting from the bow of a vessel
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
Bulwer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
forecastles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
death of a person
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
heelnounUS /hiːl/
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
incarnationnounUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːrˈneɪʃən/
a new personification of a familiar idea
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
LyttonnounUS /ˈlɪtən/
English writer of historical romances (1803-1873)
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
go across or through
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
patriarchnounUS /ˈpeɪtriɑːrk/
title for the heads of the Eastern Orthodox Churches (in Istanbul and Alexandria and Moscow and Jerusalem)
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
patternsnounUS /ˈpætərnz/
plural of “pattern” — a perceptual structure
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
PelhamnounUS /ˈpeləm/
a bit with a bar mouthpiece that is designed to combine a curb and snaffle
From this reading He was reading “Pelham.”
phenomenonnounUS /fəˈnɑːmənɑːn/
any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
popularitynounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈlerəti/
the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
proppedverbUS /prɑːpt/
inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading He was reading “Pelham.”
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
Southern-going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
sunburntadjective
suffering from overexposure to direct sunlight
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
turmoilnounUS /ˈtɜːrmɔɪl/
a violent disturbance
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
venerableadjectiveUS /ˈvenərəbəl/
impressive by reason of age
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
a Caucasian
From this reading Between the blue and red patterns his white skin gleamed like satin; his bare back was propped against the heel of the bowsprit, and he held a book at arm’s length before his big, sunburnt face.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The popularity of Bulwer Lytton in the forecastles of Southern-going ships is a wonderful and bizarre phenomenon.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading With his spectacles and a venerable white beard, he resembled a learned and savage patriarch, the incarnation of barbarian wisdom serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was intensely absorbed, and as he turned the pages an expression of grave surprise would pass over his rugged features.
