used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
anew
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I really believe you are right, Murdock," said I.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
Ay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "I really believe you are right, Murdock," said I.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
canoenounUS /kəˈnuː/
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
fresheningverbUS /ˈfreʃənɪŋ/
-ing form of “freshen” — make (to feel) fresh
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
a quick look
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
investigateverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪt/
investigate scientifically
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
a particular point in time
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
Murdock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
by chance
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
in the near future
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "I really believe you are right, Murdock," said I.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "I really believe you are right, Murdock," said I.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
south-westadverb
to, toward, or in the southwest
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
strengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈstreŋθənd/
given added strength or support
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
a special situation
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
precisely as stated
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Moreover, although the glimpse I had caught had been but momentary, I thought I had detected the appearance of what might very well be a crouching human figure sitting in her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Ay, I do," said I, as I caught a momentary glimpse of a small dark object which appeared for a moment, hovering on the crest of a sea, and then sank out of sight again.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading And, as Murdock had said, it certainly presented very much the appearance of a small boat drifting slowly away toward the south-west before the freshening Trade wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Presently I got another sight of the thing, and my impression that it was indeed a boat--or possibly a canoe--with one or more persons in her was so greatly strengthened that I determined there and then to investigate.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I really believe you are right, Murdock," said I.
