used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading To Haddon it seemed as if the plank slid backward under his feet.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
Cavanaugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
divenounUS /daɪv/
a cheap disreputable nightclub or dance hall
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
frozeverbUS /froʊz/
inflected form of “freeze” — stop moving or become immobilized
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
a long fixed look
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
glidingnounUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of flying a glider
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
glintingadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪntɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
Haddon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Haddon it seemed as if the plank slid backward under his feet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading To Haddon it seemed as if the plank slid backward under his feet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To Haddon it seemed as if the plank slid backward under his feet.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
plankverbUS /plæŋk/
cover with planks
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To Haddon it seemed as if the plank slid backward under his feet.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading To Haddon it seemed as if the plank slid backward under his feet.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
Steve's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
stungadjectiveUS /stʌŋ/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
possessing sweep
From this reading As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
moving very fast
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
push forcefully
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
triangularadjectiveUS /traɪˈæŋɡjələr/
having three angles; forming or shaped like a triangle
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading To Haddon it seemed as if the plank slid backward under his feet.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
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 As he ran, his startled gaze swept over the glinting water and for an instant his blood froze.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading His dive was purely instinctive but it was a fine one, wide and shallow, that carried him well out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beyond the struggling Cavanaugh, but much nearer to him than the latter was to shore, something thrust up above the water—something thin, triangular, erect, dull gray in color, that cut through the little waves with swift, smooth, gliding ease.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Steve’s feet were on the plank before the meaning of the words stung into his consciousness.
