used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
abruptnessnounUS /əˈbrʌptnəs/
an abrupt discourteous manner
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
adjacentadjectiveUS /əˈdʒeɪsənt/
nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
(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 The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
anchoragenounUS /ˈæŋkərədʒ/
the condition of being secured to a base
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
from appearances alone
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
becalmedadjectiveUS /bɪˈkɑːmd/
rendered motionless for lack of wind
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
of short duration or distance
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the squall that so nearly inflicted disaster upon the _Viking_ had passed over them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
capriciouslyadverbUS /kəˈprɪʃɪsli/
unpredictably
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading But the squall that so nearly inflicted disaster upon the _Viking_ had passed over them.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
inflictedverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪktɪd/
past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant
From this reading But the squall that so nearly inflicted disaster upon the _Viking_ had passed over them.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
used to form the superlative
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But the squall that so nearly inflicted disaster upon the _Viking_ had passed over them.
not any; not one
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
nor'easter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
northeastnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθiːst/
the compass point midway between north and east; at 45 degrees
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
and nothing more
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
overtakenverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkən/
inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading But the squall that so nearly inflicted disaster upon the _Viking_ had passed over them.
ragedverbUS /reɪdʒd/
past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
Samoset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
snugadjectiveUS /snʌɡ/
offering safety; well protected or concealed
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
southerlyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərli/
situated in or oriented toward the south
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
squallverbUS /skwɔːl/
make high-pitched, whiney noises
From this reading But the squall that so nearly inflicted disaster upon the _Viking_ had passed over them.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
succeedingadjectiveUS /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/
coming after or following
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But the squall that so nearly inflicted disaster upon the _Viking_ had passed over them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
up to a particular time
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But the squall that so nearly inflicted disaster upon the _Viking_ had passed over them.
VikingnounUS /ˈvaɪkɪŋ/
any of the Scandinavian people who raided the coasts of Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries
From this reading The storm that had so suddenly overtaken the _Viking_ had raged over all of Samoset Bay.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
at the time that
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
in or at the place that
From this reading They were in no danger, apparently, there being good anchorage in a harbour formed by the foot of Grand Island and a small island adjacent, where they could lie snug till the threatening weather had cleared.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They only knew that the wind changed with startling abruptness, and most capriciously, and that the sea began to roll up from the northeast in an unusually brief time.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading The yacht _Surprise_, running up before the afternoon southerly, had been becalmed when near the foot of Grand Island, a mile or so out, and had felt the first force of the succeeding nor’easter.
