used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
balancedadjectiveUS /ˈbælənst/
being in a state of proper equilibrium
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
balsas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
BoilsnounUS /bɔɪlz/
plural of “boil” — a painful sore with a hard core filled with pus
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
the lower side of anything
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
cañons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
crewsnounUS /kruːz/
plural of “crew” — the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
traveling across
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
crossingsnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋz/
plural of “crossing” — traveling across
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
increase twofold
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
eddyverbUS /ˈedi/
flow in a circular current, of liquids
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
one or the other of two
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
harderadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdər/
comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
juttingadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌtɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
immediately past
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
Leccos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
a particular point in time
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
muddyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
not any; not one
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
poled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
polesnounUS /poʊlz/
plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
polingverbUS /ˈpoʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “pole” — propel with a pole
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
raftnounUS /ræft/
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
rapidsnounUS /ˈræpədz/
plural of “rapid” — a part of a river where the current is very fast
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
riffles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
a strong line
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
steepernounUS /ˈstiːpər/
a vessel (usually a pot or vat) used for steeping
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
strandnounUS /strænd/
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
strategicadjectiveUS /strəˈtiːdʒɪk/
relating to or concerned with strategy
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
possessing sweep
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
upstreamadjectiveUS /ˈʌpˈstriːm/
in the direction against a stream's current
From this reading The little rapids that were nothing more than riffles coming down—that is, in comparison with the real cañons and rapids—were slowly poled and dragged through with double crews, inch by inch around some jutting, strategic rocky point and into the upstream eddy beyond.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next day the river was harder and steeper and the banks offered more difficulties either for poling or dragging.
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 And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
at the time that
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
in the company of; together with
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading From one side to the other we shifted, losing hundreds of yards in crossing as we swept down with the muddy current.
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet these crossings were never made until the last moment when the poles could find no bottom and the steep bank came down like a cliff into from fifteen to fifty feet of water.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Boils of water burst from under the balsas until you balanced with the Leccos on the straining raft like rope dancers on the same strand.
