used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
how long something has existed
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
divisible by two
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
FloatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
usually; as a rule
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Something of the same sort happens now and then in our lives.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
midstreamnounUS /ˈmɪdstriːm/
the middle of a stream
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
used to form the superlative
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Something of the same sort happens now and then in our lives.
obstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
by chance
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
realizingverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
rushesnounUS /ˈrʌʃəz/
plural of “rush” — the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Something of the same sort happens now and then in our lives.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading The shock is sudden and unexpected.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something of the same sort happens now and then in our lives.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Something of the same sort happens now and then in our lives.
not in physical motion
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The shock is sudden and unexpected.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Something of the same sort happens now and then in our lives.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading The shock is sudden and unexpected.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
watchesnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃəz/
plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
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 Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
at the time that
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There is an age at which most of us unexpectedly come across the truth about ourselves, and sometimes about others, and it generally happens that in our recollection the change turns upon one day, or even one hour.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Floating down a quick smooth stream in a boat, a man is aware of motion, as he watches the bank without realizing the strength of the flowing water; but when the skiff is suddenly checked by any obstacle in midstream, the whole force of the river rushes upon it, and past it, and perhaps over it, in an instant.
showing curiosity
From this reading Sylvia went to her own room after dinner, still wondering what had happened to her on her birthday.
