adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
abundantlyadverbUS /əˈbʌndəntli/
in an abundant manner
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
battlementnounUS /ˈbætəlmənt/
a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
blockhousenounUS /ˈblɑːkhaʊs/
a stronghold that is reinforced for protection from enemy fire; with apertures for defensive fire
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
calmverbUS /kɑːm/
make calm or still
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
CapnounUS /kæp/
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
centrenounUS /ˈsentər/
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
channelsnounUS /ˈtʃænəlz/
official routes of communication
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
commandedverbUS /kəˈmændɪd/
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
coversnounUS /ˈkʌvərz/
plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
defences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
exceptedverbUS /ɪkˈseptɪd/
past form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
floodsnounUS /flʌdz/
plural of “flood” — the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
heavilyadverbUS /ˈhevəli/
to a considerable degree
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
heightnounUS /haɪt/
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
islandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
lednounUS /led/
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
lieverbUS /laɪ/
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
look-outs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
marksmennounUS /ˈmɑːrksmen/
plural of “marksman” — someone skilled in shooting
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
PathfindernounUS /ˈpæθfaɪndər/
someone who can find paths through unexplored territory
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
protectionnounUS /prəˈtekʃən/
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
reconnoitreverbUS /ˌriːkəˈnɔɪtər/
explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
risingadjectiveUS /ˈraɪzɪŋ/
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
roofnounUS /ruːf/
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
singingnounUS /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
spotnounUS /spɑːt/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
usenounUS /juːs/
the act of using
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
viewnounUS /vjuː/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading By making proper use, therefore, of these slight defences,--slight as to height, though abundantly ample as far as they went,--the two look-outs commanded a pretty good view of the island, its covers excepted, and of most of the channels that led to the spot.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This part of the blockhouse had a low battlement around it, which afforded a considerable protection to those who stood in its centre; the intention having been to enable marksmen to lie behind it and to fire over its top.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As the light returned, Pathfinder and Cap ascended again to the roof, with a view to reconnoitre the state of things once more on the island.
woodsnounUS /wʊdz/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods.
WORDSWORTHnounUS /ˈwɜːrdzwərθ/
a romantic English poet whose work was inspired by the Lake District where he spent most of his life (1770-1850)
From this reading WORDSWORTH.
