adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
AcrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
beaknounUS /biːk/
beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
bird'snounUS /bɜːrdz/
possessive form of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
broad-breasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
broochnounUS /bruːtʃ/
a decorative pin worn by women
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
brownnounUS /braʊn/
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
capnounUS /kæp/
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
cloaknounUS /kloʊk/
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
curvedadjectiveUS /kɜːrvd/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
dawnnounUS /dɔːn/
the first light of day
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
fallingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
fastenedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsənd/
firmly closed or secured
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/
coins made of gold
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
half-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
islandsnounUS /ˈaɪləndz/
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
ISLEnounUS /aɪl/
a small island
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/
coated with paint
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
prownounUS /praʊ/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
purplenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəl/
a purple color or pigment
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
sailverbUS /seɪl/
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/
transport commercially
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
signsnounUS /saɪnz/
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
SILENTadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
starnounUS /stɑːr/
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
staturenounUS /ˈstætʃər/
high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
wavesnounUS /weɪvz/
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
wearverbUS /wer/
be dressed in
From this reading He had blue eyes, and dark curled locks falling beneath a red cap such as sailors wear, and over a purple cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold.
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 ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
westernadjectiveUS /ˈwestərn/
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A man stood alone on the half-deck at the bows, a man who looked always forward, through the night, and the twilight, and the clear morning.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading THE SILENT ISLE Across the wide backs of the waves, beneath the mountains, and between the islands, a ship came stealing from the dark into the dusk, and from the dusk into the dawn.
wide-shouldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was of no great stature, but broad-breasted and very wide-shouldered, with many signs of strength.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The ship had but one mast, one broad brown sail with a star embroidered on it in gold; her stem and stern were built high, and curved like a bird’s beak; her prow was painted scarlet, and she was driven by oars as well as by the western wind.
