used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
appreciatedadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
BEACONnounUS /ˈbiːkən/
a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
conformationnoun
a symmetrical arrangement of the parts of a thing
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
currentsnounUS /ˈkɜːrənts/
plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
etherealadjectiveUS /ɪˈθɪriəl/
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
groundedverbUS /ˈɡraʊndɪd/
past form of “ground” — fix firmly and stably
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
ten 10s
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
lighthousenounUS /ˈlaɪthaʊs/
a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
MainenounUS /meɪn/
a state in New England
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
numberedverbUS /ˈnʌmbərd/
past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
obediencenounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
on one occasion
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
ragingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/
characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
transport commercially
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
shoalsnounUS /ʃoʊlz/
plural of “shoal” — a sandbank in a stretch of water that is visible at low tide
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
soliditynounUS /səˈlɪdəti/
the consistency of a solid
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
in a swift manner
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
swoopingverbUS /ˈswuːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
tidesnounUS /taɪdz/
plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
the upper part of anything
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BEACON LIGHT The lighthouse was a massive structure, over a hundred feet in height.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
at the time that
From this reading It was only when one was close at hand that its real strength and solidity could be appreciated.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There were treacherous currents and swiftly running tides due to the peculiar conformation of the Maine coast at that point, and if a ship once grounded on the shoals while a storm was raging its hours were numbered.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the distance, with the sun playing on it and the sea gulls swooping about its top, it seemed something slender and ethereal.
wreckedadjectiveUS /rekt/
destroyed in an accident
From this reading It had been built in obedience to a general demand, owing to the number of vessels that had been wrecked in the vicinity.
