used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
(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 Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
eagerly desirous
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading His one chance was the launch.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
doomverbUS /duːm/
decree or designate beforehand
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
ENCOUNTERverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
brought together in one place
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
hold firmly
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
headwaynounUS /ˈhedweɪ/
vertical space available to allow easy passage under something
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
junks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
launchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/
set up or found
From this reading His one chance was the launch.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
the force of workers available
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His one chance was the launch.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
cut with a saw
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
shippingnounUS /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/
the commercial enterprise of moving goods and materials
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
not in physical motion
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
possessing sweep
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
in a swift manner
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His one chance was the launch.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A low cry of joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the junks and steam swiftly toward him.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope to escape it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of the flood.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet he knew that all danger had not passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping.
