used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
confined by bonds
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
forecastlenoun
living quarters consisting of a superstructure in the bow of a merchant ship where the crew is housed
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
founderingnounUS /ˈfaʊndərɪŋ/
(of a ship) sinking
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
a young female
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
destroyed or killed
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
gray-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
hulknounUS /hʌlk/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
jaggedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒæɡəd/
having a sharply uneven surface or outline
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
life-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
liner'snounUS /ˈlaɪnərz/
possessive form of “liner” — (baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
mizzen-mast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
plightnounUS /plaɪt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
except for; apart from
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
seaweednounUS /ˈsiːwiːd/
plant growing in the sea, especially marine algae
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
move stealthily
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
spars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
sprawledverbUS /sprɔːld/
past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
survivorsnounUS /sərˈvaɪvərz/
plural of “survivor” — one who lives through affliction
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were bound fast to a jagged bit of the mizzen-mast and appeared to be lifeless.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading If any of them were alive, they were too far gone to help save themselves.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Far forward amid a tangle of rigging and broken spars, three seamen sprawled upon the forecastle head.
WAIFS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SEA WAIFS As the liner's life-boat drew nearer the foundering hulk, the men at the oars could see how fearful was the plight of the handful of survivors.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
belonging to which person
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The arms of a gray-haired man were clasped around a slip of a girl, whose long, fair hair whipped in the wind like seaweed.
