used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
rid of obstructions
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
a steep high face of rock
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
explorationnounUS /ˌeksplərˈeɪʃən/
to travel for the purpose of discovery
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
grumbledverbUS /ˈɡrʌmbəld/
past form of “grumble” — show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
headlandnoun
a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
not accessible to view
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
immediately past
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
a human being
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
reefsnounUS /riːfs/
plural of “reef” — a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
SkirtingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːrtɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
steerverbUS /stɪr/
direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
stolidadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːləd/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
at the time that
From this reading But when the detective directed that he go round the base of the headland, and skirt close to the rocks he grumbled at the danger.
in or at the place that
From this reading “Be careful of the danger,” Wise said, “steer clear of hidden reefs, but go close to the overhanging cliff, there where I’m pointing.”
which person or people
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading In a small but powerful motor boat Wise went on his voyage of exploration.
Wise's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The man who managed the craft was a stolid, silent person who obeyed Wise’s orders without comment.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading Skirting the cliff, at last Wise discovered what he was looking for, a small cave, worn in the rock by the sea.
