used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
completely unclothed
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
chum's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
disbeliefnounUS /ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf/
doubt about the truth of something
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What you going to do, Jerry?
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
the act of departing
From this reading "What you going to do, Jerry?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
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 So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
the light of the Moon
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
not any; not one
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
and nothing more
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
poisedadjectiveUS /pɔɪzd/
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
rubbedverbUS /rʌbd/
inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure
From this reading Jerry rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but for only an instant.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
sheddingnounUS /ˈʃedɪŋ/
the process whereby something is shed
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
a particular situation
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
in or at that place or location
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
THRILLSnounUS /θrɪlz/
plural of “thrill” — the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Then he sprang to the other side of the bridge, shedding hat, coat, trousers, shirt and shoes, on the way.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What you going to do, Jerry?
a Caucasian
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
which person or people
From this reading So, at least, it seemed to Dave, who caught his chum's arm, as Jerry poised himself, his body white and gleaming in the moonlight, on the high rail that ran along the edge.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading MORE THRILLS It was only a bare few seconds before the floating object had passed within the shadow of the bridge, but there could be no doubt about it; it was a boat, riding so low that only her outline showed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What you going to do, Jerry?
