used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
cannibalsnounUS /ˈkænəbəlz/
plural of “cannibal” — a person who eats human flesh
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
curvedadjectiveUS /kɜːrvd/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
opinion or judgment
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
start firing a weapon
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
GeenounUS /dʒiː/
a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity; used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected when it is accelerated
From this reading "Gee!"
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
hissedverbUS /hɪst/
past form of “hiss” — make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
leeringadjective
showing sly or knowing malice in a glance
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/
English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
and nothing more
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
panelsnounUS /ˈpænəlz/
plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
parti-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
rocketnounUS /ˈrɑːkət/
any vehicle self-propelled by a rocket engine
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
rushingnounUS /ˈrʌʃɪŋ/
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There appeared to be thousands of the cannibals; their mass reaching from shore to shore.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading RED FIRE FROM THE SKY Under the light of the moon the rushing river seemed full of leering, cruel eyes.
upturnedadjective
having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then, while the boys looked, expecting every instant to hear the sound of feet outside the panels, a rocket shot out from the Nelson and a score of parti-colored balls curved and hissed toward the earth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The bodies of the swimming savages were not visible--only the upturned faces and the threatening eyes, with now and then a hand or the point of a glistening shoulder.
