adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
Alban's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
Alleyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
backwardsadverbUS /ˈbækwərdz/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
bassinetnoun
a basket (usually hooded) used as a baby's bed
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
bloodnounUS /blʌd/
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
cheeksnounUS /tʃiːks/
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
cognounUS /kɔːɡ/
a subordinate who performs an important but routine function
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
drawingnounUS /ˈdrɔːɪŋ/
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
farthestadverbUS /ˈfɑːrðəst/
to the greatest distance in space or time (“farthest” is used more often than “furthest” in this physical sense)
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
fightingnounUS /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
flushedadjectiveUS /flʌʃt/
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
galleysnounUS /ˈɡæliz/
plural of “galley” — a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
HeadnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
islandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
loomingverbUS /ˈluːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
mistilyadverb
in a misty manner
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
PortlandnounUS /ˈpɔːrtlənd/
freshwater port and largest city in Oregon; located in northwestern Oregon on the Willamette River which divides the city into east and west sections; renowned for its beautiful natural setting among the mountains
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/
one of four equal parts
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
sailverbUS /seɪl/
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
SaxonnounUS /ˈsæksən/
a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
shiningadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
skylinenounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪn/
the outline of objects seen against the sky
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
stirverbUS /stɜːr/
move an implement through
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
swiftlyadverbUS /ˈswɪftli/
in a swift manner
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
teethnounUS /tiːθ/
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
tillernounUS /ˈtɪlər/
a shoot that sprouts from the base of a grass
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
tinglingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋɡəlɪŋ/
exciting by touching lightly so as to cause laughter or twitching movements
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
unbrokenadjectiveUS /ənˈbroʊkən/
marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
westwardsadverbUS /ˈwestwərdz/
toward the west
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
