Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
anchorages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
barges
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From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
bay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
beating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
made dark by burning or soot made dark by soot, burning, or black marks
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
casual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
cautious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
coal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
coasters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
craftnounUS /kræft/
a boat or ship in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
dories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
dropping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
fleck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
flock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
flying-jibs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
fold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
gale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
Gloucester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
graceful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
harbor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
heaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
huddled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
increased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
invisible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
knowingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
Light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
mackerel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
masts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
nightfall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
noddednounUS /nodded/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
northwest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
NOTES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
piled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
pleasure-boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
reef
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
rocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
scamper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
schooners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
scurrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
seiners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
seines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
size
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
sorts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
southeasterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
STACCATO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
SUMMER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
swell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
taper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
thickened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
thwarts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
trailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
truncated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
VANISHED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
waning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were all of one graceful shape and one size; they came with all sail set, taking the waning light like sunshine on their flying-jibs, and trailing each two dories behind them, with their seines piled in black heaps between the thwarts.
waters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The craft that came scurrying in just before nightfall were mackerel seiners from Gloucester.
Whaleback
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
whitened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading STACCATO NOTES OF A VANISHED SUMMER Monday afternoon the storm which had been beating up against the southeasterly wind nearly all day thickened, fold upon fold, in the northwest.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The gale increased, and blackened the harbor and whitened the open sea beyond, where sail after sail appeared round the reef of Whaleback Light, and ran in a wild scamper for the safe anchorages within.
yachts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since noon cautious coasters of all sorts had been dropping in with a casual air; the coal schooners and barges had rocked and nodded knowingly to one another, with their taper and truncated masts, on the breast of the invisible swell; and the flock of little yachts and pleasure-boats which always fleck the bay huddled together in the safe waters.
