used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
bracedadjectiveUS /breɪst/
positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
placed in a grave
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
clothing in general
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
equivocaladjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
divisible by two
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
femalesnounUS /ˈfiːmeɪlz/
plural of “female” — an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
with resolute determination
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
Gertrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
imminencynoun
the state of being imminent and liable to happen soon
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
and nothing more
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
not any; not one
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
a human being
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
praisedverbUS /preɪzd/
past form of “praise” — express approval of
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
renderingnounUS /ˈrendərɪŋ/
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
sailor'snounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
possessive form of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
seamannounUS /ˈsiːmən/
a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
TempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
thanksgivings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
two times
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
vestmentsnounUS /ˈvestments/
plural of “vestment” — gown (especially ceremonial garments) worn by the clergy
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the risk was past.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a feather.”
which person or people
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
WildernounUS /ˈwaɪldər/
United States writer and dramatist (1897-1975)
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Tempest._ “We are safe!” said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching the manner of their escape.
woenounUS /woʊ/
misery resulting from affliction
From this reading “Every day, some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just our theme of woe.”
the words that are spoken
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
Wyllys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the young seaman.
