used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
in actual fact
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
agitatedadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪd/
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
(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 He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
bladesnounUS /bleɪdz/
plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
exhale hard
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His head-dress came in contact with a hard substance.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading His head-dress came in contact with a hard substance.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
crippledadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪpəld/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
detonationnounUS /ˌdetəˈneɪʃən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
with resolute determination
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Through the lens of his helmet the Sub saw nothing of the nature of a flash.
Fordyce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading His head-dress came in contact with a hard substance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
head-dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head-dress came in contact with a hard substance.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
helmetnounUS /ˈhelmət/
armor plate that protects the head
From this reading Through the lens of his helmet the Sub saw nothing of the nature of a flash.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His head-dress came in contact with a hard substance.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
lensnounUS /lenz/
a transparent optical device used to converge or diverge transmitted light and to form images
From this reading Through the lens of his helmet the Sub saw nothing of the nature of a flash.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
not in physical motion
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Through the lens of his helmet the Sub saw nothing of the nature of a flash.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Through the lens of his helmet the Sub saw nothing of the nature of a flash.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
and nothing more
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
an amount of time
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
propellernounUS /prəˈpelər/
a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
move hurridly
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
cut with a saw
From this reading Through the lens of his helmet the Sub saw nothing of the nature of a flash.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
smote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
SubverbUS /sʌb/
be a substitute
From this reading Through the lens of his helmet the Sub saw nothing of the nature of a flash.
Sub-Lieutenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading His head-dress came in contact with a hard substance.
possessing sweep
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the lens of his helmet the Sub saw nothing of the nature of a flash.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Although it seemed an interminable period before the expected explosion took place, only a few seconds actually elapsed before the detonation occurred.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
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 He heard the roar; it smote upon his temples like the blow of a club, as a rush of violently agitated water all but swept him from his precarious position.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The Way Out Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce and his two companions clung desperately to the motionless blades of the crippled propeller as they awaited what they were firmly convinced was the end.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His head-dress came in contact with a hard substance.
