used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was not, he believed at first glance, the Silver Swan.
being joined in close association
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading It was not, he believed at first glance, the Silver Swan.
Brandon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
Caleb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s never the Silver Swan, lad,” Caleb declared.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading “She was swept as clean as a whistle.
cordagenounUS /ˈkɔːrdədʒ/
the amount of wood in an area as measured in cords
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading “That’s never the Silver Swan, lad,” Caleb declared.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was not, he believed at first glance, the Silver Swan.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading It was not, he believed at first glance, the Silver Swan.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not, he believed at first glance, the Silver Swan.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
hullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not, he believed at first glance, the Silver Swan.
a boy or man
From this reading “That’s never the Silver Swan, lad,” Caleb declared.
provided with artificial light
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “That’s never the Silver Swan, lad,” Caleb declared.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not, he believed at first glance, the Silver Swan.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
with speed
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
RELATINGverbUS /rɪˈleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “She was swept as clean as a whistle.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
having a supporting base
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
SWANverbUS /swɑːn/
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
possessing sweep
From this reading “She was swept as clean as a whistle.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s never the Silver Swan, lad,” Caleb declared.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading It was the hull of a vessel, sunk a good deal at the stern; but one mast was standing, and a great tangle of cordage and torn sails was still attached to it.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading “She was swept as clean as a whistle.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading RELATING HOW THE SILVER SWAN WAS HEARD FROM AS the sun rose and lit up the sea more fully Brandon could plainly view the wreck which the steamer was now rapidly approaching.
