used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
(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 boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
beachesnounUS /ˈbiːtʃəz/
plural of “beach” — an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
billowsnounUS /ˈbɪloʊz/
plural of “billow” — a large sea wave
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
bouldersnounUS /ˈboʊldərz/
plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
breakwaternounUS /ˈbreɪkwɔːtər/
a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
cavesnounUS /keɪvz/
plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
coastsnounUS /koʊsts/
plural of “coast” — the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
convertedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
FrostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
geos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
hammeringnounUS /ˈhæmərɪŋ/
the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
heapsnounUS /hiːps/
a large number or amount
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
immediately past
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
not any; not one
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
the local environment
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
pebblesnounUS /ˈpebəlz/
plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
seamsnounUS /siːmz/
plural of “seam” — joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
shinglenounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəl/
building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading The boulders get less and less, and become pebbles; last of all they are ground down to fine shingle and sand.
transport commercially
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
in the near future
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
stormsnounUS /stɔːrmz/
plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
tumbleverbUS /ˈtʌmbəl/
fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
underminedverbUS /ˌʌndərˈmaɪnd/
past form of “undermine” — destroy property or hinder normal operations
From this reading The cliffs are undermined at their base by the formation of caves; the soft parts are eaten out into geos.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Frost and rain open the seams of the rocks and great masses tumble down; these are then tossed to and fro until they are converted into heaps of boulders.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
wearsnounUS /werz/
plural of “wear” — impairment resulting from long use
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading On the west coasts of our islands the great winter waves have enormous power; no breakwater could resist them, and a ship which is driven ashore soon goes to pieces.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading It is the sea that wears away the cliffs by hammering at the rocks; during storms the big stones on exposed beaches are rounded and worn by the billows tossing them about and driving them against the rocks.
