used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Clumsily enough, dangling as he was, Bell twisted about to look for Paula.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
airplanenounUS /ˈerpleɪn/
an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
any person at all
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
BelowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
blossomverbUS /ˈblɑːsəm/
produce or yield flowers
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
canopynounUS /ˈkæn.ə.pi/
An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
chutenounUS /ʃuːt/
rescue equipment consisting of a device that fills with air and retards your fall
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
ClumsilyadverbUS /ˈklʌmsəli/
in a clumsy manner
From this reading Clumsily enough, dangling as he was, Bell twisted about to look for Paula.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
danglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
From this reading Clumsily enough, dangling as he was, Bell twisted about to look for Paula.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Clumsily enough, dangling as he was, Bell twisted about to look for Paula.
explodedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsploʊdəd/
showing the parts of something separated but in positions that show their correct relation to one another
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
gentlenessnounUS /ˈdʒentəlnəs/
the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
head-first
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
jerkverbUS /dʒɜːrk/
pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
lustrousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌstrəs/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
parachutenounUS /ˈperəʃuːt/
rescue equipment consisting of a device that fills with air and retards your fall
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
Paula
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clumsily enough, dangling as he was, Bell twisted about to look for Paula.
planenounUS /pleɪn/
an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
cut with a saw
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
storagenounUS /ˈstɔːrədʒ/
the act of storing something
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
tanknounUS /tæŋk/
an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading Clumsily enough, dangling as he was, Bell twisted about to look for Paula.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
unlikelyadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪkli/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was unlikely in the extreme, he saw now, that anyone under that canopy of smoke could look up to see plane or parachute against the sky.
precisely as stated
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
at the time that
From this reading Bell was falling head-first when the 'chute opened, and the jerk was terrific, the more so as he had counted not the customary ten, but fifteen before pulling out the ring.
in or at the place that
From this reading Below him were masses of smoke and at least one huge dancing mass of flame, where the storage tank for airplane gas had exploded.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But very suddenly he seemed to be floating down with an amazing gentleness, with the ruddy blossom of a parachute swaying against a background of lustrous stars very far indeed over his head.
