used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
anew
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
Anthea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
Austerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
blottingverbUS /ˈblɑːtɪŋ/
inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
cause to be bored
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
cockpitnounUS /ˈkɑːkpɪt/
compartment where the pilot sits while flying the aircraft
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
crescentnounUS /ˈkresənt/
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
frothingadjective
producing or covered with lathery sweat or saliva from exhaustion or disease
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/
past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
heaveverbUS /hiːv/
utter a sound, as with obvious effort
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
and nothing more
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
lockernounUS /ˈlɑːkər/
a storage compartment for clothes and valuables; usually it has a lock
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
mainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
MERRIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
Nellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
rhythmicadjectiveUS /ˈrɪðmɪk/
recurring with measured regularity
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
saloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
SCREWnounUS /skruː/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
skylightsnounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪts/
plural of “skylight” — a window in a roof to admit daylight
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
Sorata
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
splashingnounUS /ˈsplæʃɪŋ/
the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
TIGHTENSverbUS /ˈtaɪtənz/
third-person singular of “tighten” — make tight or tighter
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
tillernounUS /ˈtɪlər/
a shoot that sprouts from the base of a grass
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
topsailnoun
a sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
VancouvernounUS /vænˈkuːvər/
English navigator remembered for his exploration of the Pacific coast of North America (1757-1798)
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Anthea Merril stood at the tiller outlined against the heave of sea, for the night was warm and she was dressed in white.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The big topsail swayed across it, blotting out the stars, and there was a rhythmic splashing beneath the bows.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
westerlyadverbUS /ˈwestərli/
toward the west
From this reading MERRIL TIGHTENS THE SCREW The _Sorata_ went to sea again next morning, and one night a week later she bore up for Vancouver before a westerly breeze.
a Caucasian
From this reading A thin crescent moon had just cleared the dim white line of the mainland snow, and the sea glittered faintly in her frothing wake under a vast sweep of dusky blue.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nellie Austerly sat on a locker in the cockpit, and her father on the saloon skylights with a cigar in his hand.
