used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Undoubtedly the dugout was drawing closer and closer.
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Undoubtedly the dugout was drawing closer and closer.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
consequentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwənt/
occurring with or following as a consequence
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
travel across or pass over
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
denseradjectiveUS /ˈdensər/
comparative of “dense” — permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading Undoubtedly the dugout was drawing closer and closer.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
dugoutnounUS /ˈdʌɡaʊt/
either of two low shelters on either side of a baseball diamond where the players and coaches sit during the game
From this reading Undoubtedly the dugout was drawing closer and closer.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
exertionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
and nothing more
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
limitnounUS /ˈlɪmət/
the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
engage in
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
MCGEE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
in motion
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
paddlesnounUS /ˈpædəlz/
plural of “paddle” — small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
persistentadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstənt/
never-ceasing
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
in the near future
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
splashingnounUS /ˈsplæʃɪŋ/
the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
moving very fast
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
UndoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Undoubtedly the dugout was drawing closer and closer.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Phil could presently distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time.
UsingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just make out two moving figures in the coming boat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Undoubtedly the dugout was drawing closer and closer.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the other bank.
