used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
move towards
From this reading THE APPROACH TO THE POLE.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
ColumbusnounUS /kəˈlʌmbəs/
the state capital of Ohio; located in the center of the state; site of Ohio State University
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
disappearingnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Hatteras was still gazing.
Hatteras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hatteras was still gazing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
land-plants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
not any; not one
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
POLEnounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading THE APPROACH TO THE POLE.
puffverbUS /pʌf/
smoke and exhale strongly
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
rejoicedverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪst/
past form of “rejoice” — feel happiness or joy
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
except for; apart from
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
shapelessadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpləs/
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
not in physical motion
From this reading Hatteras was still gazing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE APPROACH TO THE POLE.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE APPROACH TO THE POLE.
uncertaintynounUS /ənˈsɜːrtənti/
being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
vapornounUS /ˈveɪpər/
a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
