used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
bluffsnounUS /blʌfs/
plural of “bluff” — a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
closestadverbUS /ˈkloʊsəst/
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
CrossenounUS /krɑːs/
a long racket with a triangular frame; used in playing lacrosse
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading FOURTH DAY UPON THE MISSISSIPPI.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
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 Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading FOURTH DAY UPON THE MISSISSIPPI.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
guidedadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdəd/
subject to guidance or control especially after launching
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
loomingverbUS /ˈluːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
MACKAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MACKAY.
MISSISSIPPInounUS /ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/
a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading FOURTH DAY UPON THE MISSISSIPPI.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
used to form the superlative
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
nourishingadjectiveUS /ˈnɜːrɪʃɪŋ/
of or providing nourishment
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
pilotsnounUS /ˈpaɪləts/
plural of “pilot” — someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
protectingadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪŋ/
shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
pulsesnounUS /ˈpʌlsɪz/
plural of “pulse” — (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
reposing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
confined on all sides
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
express in words
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOURTH DAY UPON THE MISSISSIPPI.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
UPONprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading FOURTH DAY UPON THE MISSISSIPPI.
precisely as stated
From this reading The boat stopped for some time at La Crosse, a very nourishing town.
(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 Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
which person or people
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
windings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Safely led and guided by pilots who could tell The pulses of the river, its windings, and its swell; Who knew its closest secrets, by dark as well as light, Each bluff and ringing forest, each swamp or looming height.
Winona
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Early in the morning Winona appeared, surrounded by its protecting hills, reposing, as do most of those pretty towns, in the shadow of the great bluffs, “like peace in the bosom of strength.”
