used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
completely unclothed
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
boomsnounUS /buːmz/
plural of “boom” — a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
the act of breaking something
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
cypressnounUS /ˈsaɪprəs/
wood of any of various cypress trees especially of the genus Cupressus
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
emphasizedadjectiveUS /ˈemfəsaɪzd/
spoken with emphasis
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
hawsernoun
large heavy rope for nautical use
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
not in action or at work
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/
in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
incalculably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
inclosurenounUS /ˌɪnˈkloʊʒər/
something (usually a supporting document) that is enclosed in an envelope with a covering letter
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
ketchnounUS /ketʃ/
a sailing vessel with two masts; the mizzen is forward of the rudderpost
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
mirrorlikeadjective
capable of reflecting light like a mirror
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
in motion
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
raspnounUS /ræsp/
uttering in an irritated tone
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
seawardadjectiveUS /ˈsiːwərd/
(of winds) coming from the land
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
without speaking
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
splashverbUS /splæʃ/
cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Made in the United States of America The ketch drifted into the serene inclosure of the bay as silently as the reflections moving over the mirrorlike surface of the water.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The stillness was emphasized by the ceaseless murmur of the waves breaking on the far, seaward bars.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
in or at the place that
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
white-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
Woolfolk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Woolfolk brought the ketch up where he intended to anchor and called to the stooping white-clad figure in the bow: "Let go!"
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading There was an answering splash, a sudden rasp of hawser, the booms swung idle, and the yacht imperceptibly settled into her berth.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Beyond a low arm of land that hid the sea the western sky was a single, clear yellow; farther on the left the pale, incalculably old limbs of cypress, their roots bare, were hung with gathering shadows as delicate as their own faint foliage.
