used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A WHALE IN SIGHT.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
anchoredverbUS /ˈæŋkərd/
past form of “anchor” — fix firmly and stably
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The wind shifted frequently from one point of the compass to another.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
arcticnounUS /ˈɑːrktɪk/
the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
make calm or still
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading The wind shifted frequently from one point of the compass to another.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The wind shifted frequently from one point of the compass to another.
frightfuladjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtfəl/
provoking horror
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind shifted frequently from one point of the compass to another.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
ice-fields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
icebergsnounUS /ˈaɪsbərɡz/
plural of “iceberg” — a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A WHALE IN SIGHT.
interveneverbUS /ˌɪntərˈviːn/
get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
MelvillenounUS /ˈmelvɪl/
United States writer of novels and short stories (1819-1891)
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
not in physical motion
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
navigableadjectiveUS /ˈnævəɡəbəl/
able to be sailed on or through safely
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The wind shifted frequently from one point of the compass to another.
and nothing more
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
a full supply
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The wind shifted frequently from one point of the compass to another.
unusual or striking
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
sailing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading The wind shifted frequently from one point of the compass to another.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A WHALE IN SIGHT.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
stretchingnounUS /ˈstretʃɪŋ/
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
variabilitynounUS /veriəˈbɪlɪti/
the quality of being subject to variation
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
precisely as stated
From this reading The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable fact, and very often only a few minutes intervene between a calm and a frightful tempest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
WHALEnounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading A WHALE IN SIGHT.
in or at the place that
From this reading The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad passes where she had plenty of sailing-room.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if anchored in the ice.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind shifted frequently from one point of the compass to another.
