used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
any thing at all
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
balesnounUS /beɪlz/
plural of “bale” — a large bundle bound for storage or transport
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
next to; at the side of
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
BrooklynnounUS /ˈbrʊklən/
a borough of New York City
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
CapenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
cargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
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 The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
only a very short time before
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
hempnounUS /hemp/
a plant fiber
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
ten 10s
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading KIT SILBURN’S START IN LIFE.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
KITnounUS /kɪt/
a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading KIT SILBURN’S START IN LIFE.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading KIT SILBURN’S START IN LIFE.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/
possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
northeastnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθiːst/
the compass point midway between north and east; at 45 degrees
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
portholes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
scuddingnoun
the act of moving along swiftly (as before a gale)
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
seawardadjectiveUS /ˈsiːwərd/
(of winds) coming from the land
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
SILBURN'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KIT SILBURN’S START IN LIFE.
Sisalnoun
a plant fiber used for making rope
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
having a supporting base
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading KIT SILBURN’S START IN LIFE.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
steamshipnounUS /ˈstiːmʃɪp/
a ship powered by one or more steam engines
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
StoresnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
top-masts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
warehousenounUS /ˈwerhaʊs/
a storehouse for goods and merchandise
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading A big black steamship lay beside the wharf in front of Martin’s Stores, in Brooklyn.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading It was bitterly cold, for November; and a stiff wind from the northeast was driving the black clouds seaward at the rate of thirty or forty miles an hour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The cold November night was so dark that from the brick warehouse, a hundred feet away, hardly anything could be seen of her but the lantern that swung in her rigging, a faint light that shone through her cabin portholes, and occasionally one of her tall top-masts standing out against the pale moon that tried with little success to show itself between the scudding clouds.
YucatannounUS /ˈjuːkətæn/
a state of Mexico on the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula
From this reading The steamer was the _North Cape_, arrived the week before from Sisal, in Yucatan, with a cargo of hemp in bales.
