adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
aroseverbUS /ərˈoʊz/
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
athaleb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
athaleb's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
auroranounUS /ərˈɔːrə/
the first light of day
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
ceasedverbUS /siːst/
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
dashedadjectiveUS /dæʃt/
having gaps or spaces
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
deepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
expandedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspændəd/
increased in extent or size or bulk or scope
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
extinctadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
FALLINGadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
flamedverbUS /fleɪmd/
past form of “flame” — shine with a sudden light
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
foldedverbUS /ˈfoʊldəd/
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
forcingverbUS /ˈfɔːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “force” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
guidenounUS /ɡaɪd/
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
hind-legs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
hopedverbUS /hoʊpt/
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
ICARUSnounUS /ˈɪkɜːrəs/
(Greek mythology) son of Daedalus; while escaping from Crete with his father (using the wings Daedalus had made) he flew too close to the sun and the wax melted and he fell into the Aegean and drowned
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
instinctnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
LIKEverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
lingeringnounUS /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the act of tarrying
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
onwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
painfuladjectiveUS /ˈpeɪnfəl/
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/
the possibility of future success
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
rapidlyadverbUS /ˈræpədli/
with speed
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
reachverbUS /riːtʃ/
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
reachingnounUS /ˈriːtʃɪŋ/
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
SEAnounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
struggleverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
swumverbUS /swʌm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
ThusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
hard to endure
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Had it not been for this, the athaleb's own instinct might have served to guide him toward some shore which we might have hoped to reach before life was extinct; but as it was, all thought of reaching any shore was out of the question, and there arose before us only the prospect of death--a death, too, which must be lingering and painful and cruel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
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 Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
wavesnounUS /weɪvz/
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Had both been folded up the athaleb could have swum rapidly; but the broken wing lay expanded over the water, tossing with the waves, so that our progress was but slight.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Thus amid the darkness we floated, and the waves dashed around us, and the athaleb never ceased to struggle in the water, trying to force his way onward.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading FALLING, LIKE ICARUS, INTO THE SEA The aurora light, which had flamed brightly, was now extinct, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, where we floated on the back of the monster.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He swam, forcing himself onward with his hind-legs, with one broad wing folded up close.
