adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading "Right ahead again," he remarked.
aheadadverbUS /əˈhed/
at or in the front
From this reading "Right ahead again," he remarked.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
bownounUS /baʊ/
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
CarrollnounUS /ˈkærəl/
English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
combernounUS /ˈkoʊmər/
a person who separates and straightens the fibers of cotton or wool
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
craftnounUS /kræft/
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
dawnnounUS /dɔːn/
the first light of day
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
drovenounUS /droʊv/
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
enterverbUS /ˈentər/
to come or go into
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Right ahead again," he remarked.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
INTERCEPTEDverbUS /ˌɪntərˈseptəd/
past form of “intercept” — seize on its way
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
IslandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
Land-locked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
largeradjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
lashedverbUS /læʃt/
past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
LETTERnounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
NarrowsnounUS /ˈneroʊz/
plural of “narrow” — a narrow strait connecting two bodies of water
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
northwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
PacificnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
remarkedverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkt/
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "Right ahead again," he remarked.
RightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading "Right ahead again," he remarked.
rollverbUS /roʊl/
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
sloopnounUS /sluːp/
a sailing vessel with a single mast set about one third of the boat's length aft of the bow
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
smote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
starboardnounUS /ˈstɑːrbərd/
the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
stingingnounUS /ˈstɪŋɪŋ/
a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/
successive (without a break)
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
supposeverbUS /səˈpoʊz/
express a supposition
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
tackverbUS /tæk/
fasten with tacks
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
VancouvernounUS /vænˈkuːvər/
English navigator remembered for his exploration of the Pacific coast of North America (1757-1798)
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
VanenounUS /veɪn/
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Land-locked as they are by Vancouver Island, the long roll of the Pacific cannot enter those waters, but they are now and then lashed into short, tumbling seas, sufficient to make passage difficult for a craft no larger than the sloop.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Carroll frowned when a comber smote the weather bow and a shower of stinging spray lashed his face.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
white-flecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading THE INTERCEPTED LETTER The wind was fresh from the northwest when Vane drove the sloop out through the Narrows in the early dawn and saw a dim stretch of white-flecked sea in front of him.
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But as I suppose you're going on, we'd better stretch straight across on the starboard tack.
