used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had vanished as completely as though she had never been.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had vanished as completely as though she had never been.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
breakersnounUS /ˈbreɪkərz/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She had vanished as completely as though she had never been.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
Floyd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
moving swiftly
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
frigatenounUS /ˈfrɪɡət/
a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
grovenounUS /ɡroʊv/
a small growth of trees without underbrush
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had vanished as completely as though she had never been.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
ISBEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had vanished as completely as though she had never been.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
not any; not one
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
and nothing more
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
perplexitynounUS /pərˈpleksəti/
trouble or confusion resulting from complexity
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
reefnounUS /riːf/
a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
seawardadjectiveUS /ˈsiːwərd/
(of winds) coming from the land
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
transport commercially
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
a special situation
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She had vanished as completely as though she had never been.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
having passed out of existence
From this reading She had vanished as completely as though she had never been.
VANISHINGnounUS /ˈvænɪʃɪŋ/
a sudden or mysterious disappearance
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He called to her, and there was no reply; then he started off to hunt for her in the grove, but she was not there.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He went to the seaward side of the reef; the breakers were falling and the gulls flying, but there was no sign of Isbel.
at the time that
From this reading THE VANISHING OF ISBEL Next morning, when Floyd came out on the beach, he could not find Isbel.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Floyd, in perplexity, shaded his eyes and gazed toward the sea line, as though he fancied some ship might have come and taken her off, but the sea line was as empty as the sea, and the only thing visible away out there was a frigate bird sailing on the wind.
