used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PERILOUS PREDICAMENT.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
any thing at all
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
bivalvesnounUS /ˈbaɪvælvz/
plural of “bivalve” — marine or freshwater mollusks having a soft body with platelike gills enclosed within two shells hinged together
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
cleanedverbUS /kliːnd/
past form of “clean” — make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
without stop or interruption
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
earningverbUS /ˈɜːrnɪŋ/
-ing form of “earn” — earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
divisible by two
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
highest in quality
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
guavasnounUS /ˈɡwɑːvəz/
plural of “guava” — small tropical shrubby tree bearing small yellowish fruit
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
hour'snounUS /ˈaʊərz/
possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
hungernounUS /ˈhʌŋɡər/
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
inconveniencenounUS /ˌɪnkənˈviːnjəns/
an inconvenient discomfort
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
laboriousadjectiveUS /ləˈbɔːriəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
lightestadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəst/
superlative of “light” — of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
for more time
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
take the midday meal
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
meatsnounUS /miːts/
plural of “meat” — the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
monkeysnounUS /ˈmʌŋkiz/
plural of “monkey” — any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
oystersnounUS /ˈɔɪstərz/
plural of “oyster” — marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
PERILOUSadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading A PERILOUS PREDICAMENT.
PREDICAMENTnounUS /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading A PERILOUS PREDICAMENT.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
ProstrationnounUS /prɑːˈstreɪʃən/
an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
shipwrecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
speedyadjectiveUS /ˈspiːdiː/
characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
very small
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
except if; if not
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading It was a laborious way of earning a dinner, since the monkeys had cleaned out the meats pretty thoroughly, and an hour’s hard work did not reward him with more than a dozen of the tiny bivalves.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Prostration, if nothing worse, would most surely follow, unless he beat a speedy retreat.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His hunger was so great that he would have continued this almost futile search longer, but for the fact that the sun was sending an intense heat down upon the exposed beach, and already had he begun to feel the greatest inconvenience, and even pain.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Not having had guavas sufficient for anything more than the lightest kind of a light lunch, the shipwrecked youth searched among the shells for oysters.
