used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
abackadverbUS /əˈbæk/
having the wind against the forward side of the sails
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
bulk-heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
catlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
being one more than seven
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
frightnounUS /fraɪt/
an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
highest in quality
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
lurchverbUS /lɜːrtʃ/
walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
not any; not one
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
outrageousadjectiveUS /aʊˈtreɪdʒəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
rightedverbUS /ˈraɪtɪd/
past form of “right” — make reparations or amends for
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
screamingadjectiveUS /ˈskriːmɪŋ/
so extremely intense as to evoke screams
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
Sing's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
starboardnounUS /ˈstɑːrbərd/
the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
express in words
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading He had not left my side more than ten minutes, when, with a tremendous lurch, the vessel was hurled over to starboard, and I knew that my greatest fear was realized--she had been caught aback!
tumbleverbUS /ˈtʌmbəl/
fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The vessel suddenly righted, and then began to tumble about in so outrageous a fashion that I thought she must go all to pieces.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Over, over she went, until it was almost possible to stand upright upon the lee bulk-heads of the cabin.
at the time that
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading Having no means of knowing the time--for the clock had never been wound, owing to my not being able to find the key--I cannot tell when the change came; but I think it must have been about eight next morning.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Elsie awoke screaming with fright; and with all You Sing’s catlike capacity for holding on, it was some minutes before he could get to her to comfort her.
