used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He held the boat up against the edge of a rock while Greg and I got out.
(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 We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
any thing at all
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
completely unclothed
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
beetlingadjective
jutting or overhanging
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
bignessnounUS /ˈbɪɡnəs/
the property of having a relatively great size
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
let fall to the ground
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading He held the boat up against the edge of a rock while Greg and I got out.
fendverbUS /fend/
try to manage without help
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He held the boat up against the edge of a rock while Greg and I got out.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
Greg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He held the boat up against the edge of a rock while Greg and I got out.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He held the boat up against the edge of a rock while Greg and I got out.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held the boat up against the edge of a rock while Greg and I got out.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
and nothing more
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
MonsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
oarnounUS /ɔːr/
an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
off-shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He held the boat up against the edge of a rock while Greg and I got out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
in the near future
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
rumblingnounUS /ˈrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
express in words
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
shriekingnounUS /ˈʃriːkɪŋ/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
spearnounUS /spɪr/
a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I should say that it was just about the bigness of an ordinary house, and very black and beetling, with not a spear of grass or anything on it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
a special situation
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
precisely as stated
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had never guessed how big the thing really was,--not big at all for an island, but very large for a bare, off-shore rock.
Wecanicut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
at the time that
From this reading When Jerry said, "My stars, _what_ a weird place!" his voice went booming and rumbling in among the rocks, and a lot of gulls flew up suddenly, flapping and shrieking.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He held the boat up against the edge of a rock while Greg and I got out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Presently Wecanicut began to drop further away, and then the Sea Monster loomed up suddenly right over us, and Jerry had to fend the boat off with an oar.
