used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
(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 And over all a leaden, cheerless sky.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
bannernounUS /ˈbænər/
long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
bitingadjectiveUS /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
blastsnounUS /blæsts/
plural of “blast” — a very long fly ball
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
blizzardnounUS /ˈblɪzərd/
a storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
brown-and-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading And over all a leaden, cheerless sky.
cherry-and-black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
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 RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
FerryverbUS /ˈferi/
transport from one place to another
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
flurrynounUS /ˈflɜːri/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
hullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
ICE-BOATS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading And over all a leaden, cheerless sky.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
mastheadnounUS /ˈmæsthed/
a listing printed in all issues of a newspaper or magazine (usually on the editorial page) that gives the name of the publication and the names of the editorial staff, etc.
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
nippingadjectiveUS /ˈnɪpɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
northeasterlyadjectiveUS /ˌnɔːrˈθiːstərli/
coming from the northeast
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
nosesnounUS /ˈnoʊzɪz/
plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And over all a leaden, cheerless sky.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
any competition
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
schoolsnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
skatesnounUS /skeɪts/
plural of “skate” — sports equipment that is worn on the feet to enable the wearer to glide along and to be propelled by the alternate actions of the legs
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading And over all a leaden, cheerless sky.
snappingverbUS /ˈsnæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
successive (without a break)
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then a fitful flurry of snow, driving past like a miniature blizzard.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading About them some sixty boys from the rival schools, turning and twisting in and out on their skates in an effort to keep warm in the face of the biting gale.
whippingnounUS /ˈwɪpɪŋ/
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading In front of the Ferry Hill landing two ice-boats, heads to the wind, sails snapping and wire rigging singing in the blasts; one with red hull and a cherry-and-black flag whipping from the masthead, the other glistening in new green and bearing the brown-and-white banner of Ferry Hill on high.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE RACE OF THE ICE-BOATS A bitterly cold, lowering day with a northeasterly gale blowing almost straight down the river, nipping fingers and ears and noses.
