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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
allowed
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From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
anchor
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
audacitynounUS /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/
A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
Belle
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From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
blended
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From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
bluffadjectiveUS /blʌf/
direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
BOARD
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From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
cable
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
came
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From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
carelessness
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
channel
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
craftnounUS /kræft/
a boat or ship in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
crowning
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From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
darkness
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From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
devised
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
eastern
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From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
edge
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
edges
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From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
ENEMY
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From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
enough
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
etched
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From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
faded
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From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
failing
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From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
forest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
go
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From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
gracefully
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
Helene
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From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
light
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From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
MeantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the period of time while something else is happening
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
now
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From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
oncoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
ourspronounUS /ˈaʊərz/
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
outlines
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From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
painting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
regular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
safety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
securely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
shadows
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From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
shipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
sky-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
Slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
softened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
swung
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From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
tonnagenounUS /ˈtʌnɪdʒ/
the carrying capacity of a ship
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
trees
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From this reading There came into relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the trees crowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.
unimportant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
unobserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
vast
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From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
WEpronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meantime, as well as the failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helene_ go unobserved.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours as we now lay in the shadows of the western shore.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, at length, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not like to note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, but swung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which I had devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage.