used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There certainly was something the matter with the air machine.
(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 "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
captivenounUS /ˈkæptɪv/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
an occurrence of something
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading There certainly was something the matter with the air machine.
CHASEverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
without deviation
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
direstadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪrəst/
superlative of “dire” — fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
apart from; not including
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
flourishverbUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃ/
grow vigorously
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Go!" shouted the other.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
Jimmie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading There certainly was something the matter with the air machine.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading There certainly was something the matter with the air machine.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
not any; not one
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Go!" shouted the other.
with low volume
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
sharksnounUS /ʃɑːrks/
plural of “shark” — any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
in a vehement outcry
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
significantadjectiveUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
important in effect or meaning
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There certainly was something the matter with the air machine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CHASE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR Jimmie listened for an instant.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There certainly was something the matter with the air machine.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There certainly was something the matter with the air machine.
we'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Get a move on!" shouted the captive, "or we'll all be food for the sharks directly."
in or at the place that
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There certainly was something the matter with the air machine.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Remain quietly where you are, then," Jimmie said, with a significant flourish at the gun which he had no intention of using, except in a case of the direst necessity.
