used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I had got at the fowls without further hurt.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading Some of the bars took out, I discovered how.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
the act of breaking something
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
broadenedverbUS /ˈbrɔːdənd/
past form of “broaden” — make broader
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
capsizingnoun
(nautical) the event of a boat accidentally turning over in the water
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
cockle-shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Some of the bars took out, I discovered how.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
fowls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had got at the fowls without further hurt.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading I had got at the fowls without further hurt.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I had got at the fowls without further hurt.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had got at the fowls without further hurt.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the bars took out, I discovered how.
be the source of pain
From this reading I had got at the fowls without further hurt.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
staying power
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
for more time
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Some of the bars took out, I discovered how.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
oneself
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Some of the bars took out, I discovered how.
posturenounUS /ˈpɑːstʃər/
the arrangement of the body and its limbs
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of the bars took out, I discovered how.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
thighsnounUS /θaɪz/
plural of “thigh” — the part of the leg between the hip and the knee
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Some of the bars took out, I discovered how.
precisely as stated
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading The sun declined; my shadow broadened on die waters; and now I felt that if my cockle-shell could live a little longer, why, so could I.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With much caution I began breaking the bars, one by one; it was hard enough, weak as I was; my thighs were of more service than my hands.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I had got at the fowls without further hurt.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading And now very carefully I got my legs in, and knelt; but the change of posture was not worth the risk one ran for it; there was too much danger of capsizing, and failing to free oneself before she filled and sank.
