used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
at or in the front
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading It seemed to Jimmy, in one sense, appropriate that it should be so.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It seemed to Jimmy, in one sense, appropriate that it should be so.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
blinkverbUS /blɪŋk/
briefly shut the eyes
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
bluenessnounUS /ˈbluːnəs/
blue color or pigment; resembling the color of the clear sky in the daytime
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
bridge-rails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
rid of obstructions
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
psychological suffering
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/
half asleep
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
gurgleverbUS /ˈɡɜːrɡəl/
flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
InletnounUS /ˈɪnlet/
an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
the act of departing
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
become covered with mist
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It seemed to Jimmy, in one sense, appropriate that it should be so.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
one of four equal parts
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
uttered with a trill
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to Jimmy, in one sense, appropriate that it should be so.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It seemed to Jimmy, in one sense, appropriate that it should be so.
ShastanounUS /ˈʃæstə/
a member of the Indian people of northern California and southern Oregon
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It seemed to Jimmy, in one sense, appropriate that it should be so.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It seemed to Jimmy, in one sense, appropriate that it should be so.
steamedadjectiveUS /stiːmd/
cooked in steam
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
not in physical motion
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
in or at that place or location
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
thumpingnounUS /ˈθʌmpɪŋ/
a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
tiernounUS /tiːr/
a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to Jimmy, in one sense, appropriate that it should be so.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Beyond that, in turn, a faint blink of snow still gleamed against the dusky blueness of the east.
twinkledverbUS /ˈtwɪŋkəld/
past form of “twinkle” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
at the time that
From this reading IN DISTRESS The clear night was falling when Jimmy leaned on the bridge-rails as the _Shasta_ steamed out of the Inlet beneath a black wall of pines.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All this was familiar, but he was leaving it behind, and ahead there lay an empty waste of darkening water, into which the _Shasta_ pushed her way with thumping engines and a drowsy gurgle at the bows.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Over her port quarter the pale lights of the climbing city twinkled tier on tier, with dim forest rolling away behind them into the creeping mist.
