used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
anchor-chain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
Arlésienne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
beckoningverbUS /ˈbekənɪŋ/
-ing form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
BellenounUS /bel/
a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
the act of burning something
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
cable-lengths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
coral-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
being one more than seven
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
divisible by two
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
fathomsnounUS /ˈfæðəmz/
plural of “fathom” — a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/
move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
Gaspard's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
hawsenoun
the hole that an anchor rope passes through
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
mooringsnounUS /ˈmuːrɪŋz/
plural of “mooring” — a place where a craft can be made fast
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
any object that is left unused or still extant
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
sage-greenadjective
of the grey-green color of sage leaves
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
Sagesse's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
skeleton-thin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something fluttering beneath the palms drew Gaspard’s attention; he borrowed Sagesse’s glass and looked.
spirit-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
starboardnounUS /ˈstɑːrbərd/
the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
surfnounUS /sɜːrf/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LANDING The island, close to them now and on the starboard bow, lay burning coral-white and sage-green on the blue sea.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading Even as he looked, the roar of the anchor-chain through the hawse pipe tore the air, and _La Belle Arlésienne_ swung at her moorings in eight fathoms of water a few cable-lengths from the shore.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the remains of the tent, a few rags of canvas; they seemed beckoning to him like brown hands, skeleton-thin and sinister.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
a Caucasian
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
belonging to which person
From this reading One could see the palms bending to the breeze, and the snow of the surf and the white flicker of the gulls, whose voices came, now and then, weak and spirit-like, across the water.
