used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
anew
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
(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 He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Only two of her men were visible on deck.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
fishing-smack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
hard-lined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
HawknounUS /hɔːk/
diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
HennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Only two of her men were visible on deck.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
landwardadverbUS /ˈlændwərd/
toward land
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
the force of workers available
From this reading Only two of her men were visible on deck.
moundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
O'Mahony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Only two of her men were visible on deck.
on one occasion
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
and nothing more
From this reading Only two of her men were visible on deck.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
rifle-barrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
stonyadjectiveUS /ˈstoʊni/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
traitornounUS /ˈtreɪtər/
someone who betrays his country by committing treason
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Only two of her men were visible on deck.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Only two of her men were visible on deck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading He hesitated, let the weapon sink, raised it again--then once for all put it down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Only two of her men were visible on deck.
wheeledadjectiveUS /wiːld/
having wheels; often used in combination
From this reading A group of gulls wheeled and floated about the thick little craft as she crawled landward.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Hen Hawk was idly drifting into the cove toward the little fishing-smack pier of stone and piles which ran out like a tongue from the lower end of the mound.
in the company of; together with
From this reading These things The O’Mahony vaguely noted as a background to the figure of the traitor by the rock, which he studied now with a hard-lined face and stony glance over the shining rifle-barrel.
