used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
boughnounUS /baʊ/
any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
clothing in general
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
clutchingverbUS /ˈklʌtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
ConfessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
decayedadjectiveUS /dəˈkeɪd/
damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
dippingverbUS /ˈdɪpɪŋ/
inflected form of “dip” — immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
franticadjectiveUS /ˈfræntɪk/
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
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 Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
insecureadjectiveUS /ˈɪnsəkjər/
not firm or firmly fixed; likely to fail or give way
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
MercifullyadverbUS /ˈmɜːrsɪfəliː/
in a compassionate manner
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
millhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
overhungverbUS /oʊvərˈhʌŋ/
inflected form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
piteousadjective
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
plightnounUS /plaɪt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
rendingadjectiveUS /ˈrendɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
rottenadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːtən/
very bad
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
severedadjectiveUS /ˈsevərd/
detached by cutting
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
splittingadjectiveUS /ˈsplɪtɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
not in physical motion
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
streamingadjectiveUS /ˈstriːmɪŋ/
exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Neither could swim, and in desperate plight they clung to the frail and insecure support.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
vigorouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪɡərəsli/
with vigor; in a vigorous manner
From this reading Almost choked with their dipping, their hair and clothes streaming, they still managed to call vigorously for help.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
weirnounUS /wiːr/
a low dam built across a stream to raise its level or divert its flow
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading But already their weight was splitting the decayed old willow: there was an ominous crack, a sudden rending, a piteous cry, and, still clutching the severed branch, they went whirling down the river.
which person or people
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Mercifully their first wild shriek had been heard, and a farmer who lived at the old millhouse by the weir had come running instantly from his garden.
willownounUS /ˈwɪloʊ/
any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A Confession The two girls sank into the pool below, then, rising to the surface, caught with frantic fingers at a rotten willow bough that overhung the water.
