Chapter XXII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

anew

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

replying

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

past form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

the act of breaking something

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

an occurrence of something

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

plural of “crest” — the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

lively and spirited

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

divisible by two

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

set up or found

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of comfort or success

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

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 cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

past form of “matter” — have weight; have import, carry weight

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

a feeling of thoughtful sadness

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

a particular point in time

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

and nothing more

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

except for; apart from

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

transport commercially

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

envelop completely

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

not in physical motion

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

in or at that place or location

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction

From this reading But then it seemed to him that he had heard an answering cry, and for a moment his heart leaped only to sink again, and the futility of struggling urged itself on him.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading He cried out, his agony lending strength to his voice; but the wind outshrieked him, and he knew that he had not been heard; though, even then, it came as a sort of melancholy consolation that it would not have mattered if he had been heard.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

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 DIEGO was an excellent swimmer, and his instinctive movement was to keep himself afloat the instant he found himself in the water; but in his heart there was nothing but despair and hopelessness.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading During the few seconds that he had hung by the rail, he had seemed to realize in a flash of thought the extreme peril of his case--that he must fall into the dark waters, that the ship could never stop to try to save him, and that he must lose there the life that had seemed, only a few minutes before, so full of joy and promise.

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 Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Still, he battled with the waves, turning his back to the wind, so that the dashing spray from the breaking crests would not smother him.