used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
Anstey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
Barbicannoun
a tower that is part of a defensive structure (such as a castle)
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The whole coast seemed to have been scorched up by the sun.
Bulonga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The whole coast seemed to have been scorched up by the sun.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
coffee-coloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
concurrencenounUS /kənˈkɜːrəns/
agreement of results or opinions
From this reading Mostyn nodded in concurrence.
cribnounUS /krɪb/
baby bed with high sides made of slats
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading The outlook was dreary in the extreme.
EventfuladjectiveUS /ɪˈventfəl/
full of events or incidents
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The outlook was dreary in the extreme.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
galvanized-iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The whole coast seemed to have been scorched up by the sun.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
low-lyingadjective
having a small elevation above the ground or horizon or sea level
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
milk-whiteadjective
of a white the color of fresh milk
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
Mostyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mostyn nodded in concurrence.
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading Mostyn nodded in concurrence.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
one-eyedadjectiveUS /ˌwʌˈnaɪd/
having or showing only one eye
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
outlooknounUS /ˈaʊtlʊk/
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
From this reading The outlook was dreary in the extreme.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
scorchedadjectiveUS /skɔːrtʃt/
Burned by flames or heat; blackened by intense magical or physical fire.
From this reading The whole coast seemed to have been scorched up by the sun.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The whole coast seemed to have been scorched up by the sun.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
spitverbUS /spɪt/
expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The whole coast seemed to have been scorched up by the sun.
sun-driedadjective
dried naturally by the sun
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
surfnounUS /sɜːrf/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
in or at that place or location
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All there was to be seen was a squalid collection of galvanized-iron huts rising above a low, sandy spit; a few gaunt palms; a line of surf--not milk-white, but coffee-coloured--and a background of sun-dried hills.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The whole coast seemed to have been scorched up by the sun.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The outlook was dreary in the extreme.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading An Eventful River Trip "What a one-eyed crib!" exclaimed Anstey, as the _West Barbican_ slowly approached the low-lying coast in the neighbourhood of Bulonga.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole coast seemed to have been scorched up by the sun.
