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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 plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
alarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
anchoragenounUS /ˈæŋkərɪdʒ/
a place where a ship can anchor
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
ascent
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From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
beheld
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
black
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From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
breakers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
brow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
brush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
Cape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
chirp
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From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
commanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
countless
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From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
damping
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From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
dotted
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From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
down
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From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
eastern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
folk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
fringed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
insects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
Island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
lowlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
mounting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
PartlynounUS /partly/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
pines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
plateaunounUS /plateau/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
precipices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
prospect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
Sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
Silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
Skeleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
spit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
Spy-glassnounUS /ˈspaɪ ɡlæs/
a small telescope used to see distant objects
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
surf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
tilted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
tree-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Partly from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
Woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw--clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands--a great field of open sea upon the east.
