used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
(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 A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
assailantnounUS /əˈseɪlənt/
someone who attacks
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
confusingadjectiveUS /kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/
causing confusion or disorientation
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
DREADEDadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
gapnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
Grenville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
heelnounUS /hiːl/
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
provoking horror
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
incisionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈsɪʒənz/
plural of “incision” — a depression scratched or carved into a surface
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
interminablyadverbUS /ˈɪntərmɪnæbli/
all the time; seemingly without stopping
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
lashedverbUS /læʃt/
past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
staying power
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
lurchedverbUS /lɜːrtʃt/
past form of “lurch” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
and nothing more
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
plungeverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
pulpyadjective
like a pulp or overripe; not having stiffness
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
rubbernounUS /ˈrʌbər/
an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
move hurridly
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
sharknounUS /ʃɑːrk/
any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
sickeningadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
soundingadjectiveUS /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/
appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
in a swift manner
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
a special situation
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
tremendouslyadverbUS /trəˈmendəsli/
extremely
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
someone who visits
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading He lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
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 lurched tremendously forward in the water, to close the short but vital gap between himself and the ladder.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
at the time that
From this reading A DREADED VISITOR What it was that happened when he felt the waters swiftly rising all about him Grenville could never have told.
in or at the place that
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading He could only be certain that he seemed to plunge downward interminably, and that afterwards a horrible rush of waters, lashed to violence, was sounding wildly in his ears and confusing his staring eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was almost certain his foot had come in contact with a heavy, pulpy surface, like a wet thing made of rubber, as he did his utmost to strike his assailant with his heel.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then he came to the top with a sickening conviction, that one of his legs would be gone almost before he could feel the incisions of the teeth where the shark was closing upon it.
