used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman recognized the government model.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
asternadverb
stern foremost or backward
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman recognized the government model.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
Denman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
destroyernounUS /dɪˈstrɔɪər/
a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
Gigantia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman recognized the government model.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman recognized the government model.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
the literary culture
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
modelnounUS /ˈmɑːdəl/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman recognized the government model.
monoplanenounUS /ˈmɑːnəpleɪn/
an airplane with a single wing
From this reading It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman recognized the government model.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
official-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
out-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
peepverbUS /piːp/
look furtively
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
portentnounUS /ˈpɔːrtent/
a sign of something about to happen
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
provisionnounUS /prəˈvɪʒən/
a stipulated condition
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman recognized the government model.
move hurridly
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
cut with a saw
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman recognized the government model.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
sightedadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪtɪd/
able to see
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
silhouetteverbUS /ˌsɪləˈwet/
project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
successive (without a break)
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading It seemed to have sighted the destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled overhead, and turned back.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed Denman the drifting boats.
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 big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and numbers.
