Chapter VIII · Two Men in a Boat

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

(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 A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

plural of “attitude” — a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

next to; at the side of

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

a small inlet

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

plural of “glance” — a quick look

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

reflecting light

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

based on pretense; deceptively pleasing

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

ten 10s

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles)

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

in a slow and lazy manner

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

lacking zest or vivacity

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

the force of workers available

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

above and across; more than

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

with low volume

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

utter a harsh abrupt scream

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

very small

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.

precisely as stated

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

migratory

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading They held lines in their hands, but their listless and wandering glances made it evident that nothing was further from their thoughts than the catching of fish.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

a Caucasian

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

belonging to which person

From this reading The warm summer air was so clear that the hamlet of Muirisc, whose gray walls, embroidered with glossy vines, and tiny cottages white with lime-wash were crowded together on the very edge of the shore, seemed close beside them, and every grunt and squawk from sty or barn-yard came over the lapping waters to them as from a sounding-board.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A fishing-boat lay at anchor in a cove of Dun-manus Bay, a hundred rods from shore, softly rising and sinking with the swell of the tide which stirred the blue waters with all gentleness on this peaceful June morning.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The village, engirdled by steep, sheltering cliffs, and glistening in the sunlight, made a picture which artists would have blessed their stars for.

gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something

From this reading Two men sat in lounging attitudes at opposite ends of the little craft, yawning lazily in the sunshine.