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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 MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
arc-lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
ashore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
blotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
chatter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
craftnounUS /kræft/
a boat or ship in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
defences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
destroyers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
dockyard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
drifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
driving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
Dusk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
ebb-tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
engulfing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
escorting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
folds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
fretting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
glimmered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
gusts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
half-discerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
hill-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
irritable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
labouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
list
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
muddy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
MYSTERY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
obliterated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
outlines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
overflowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
pneumatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
ribs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
riveters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
seaward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
shaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
shone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
slips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
smear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
straggling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
sweeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
swift-running
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
swiftly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
tow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
tug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MYSTERY I Dusk and a fine driving rain were sweeping up harbour from the sea.
wharves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows that had gathered in the folds of the hills ashore swiftly overflowed and settled down over the muddy town and wharves, engulfing the straggling dockyard.
wheeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed, a mere smear of uncertain outlines, through the outer defences, and a couple of long black shadows that were the escorting destroyers wheeled again to seaward and were blotted from view.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As night fell, lights glimmered here and there on the hill-side and were obliterated; across the swift-running ebb-tide the irritable chatter of pneumatic riveters drifted in gusts; and in the direction from which the sound came a few shaded arc-lights shone upon the half-discerned ribs of craft on the building slips.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Something beside the night was coming in from the sea: a ship with a heavy list, labouring in with a tug on either side of her and another fretting at the end of the tow.
