used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
apathynounUS /ˈæpəθi/
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
betsnounUS /bets/
plural of “bet” — the money risked on a gamble
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
debatingverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
dyedadjectiveUS /daɪd/
(used of color) artificially produced; not natural
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
divisible by two
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
finnounUS /fɪn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
brought together in one place
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
maintainingverbUS /meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “maintain” — cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
motionsnounUS /ˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “motion” — the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
mutilatedadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtəleɪtəd/
having a part of the body crippled or disabled
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
regularitynounUS /ˌreɡjəˈlerəti/
a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
move hurridly
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
screamingadjectiveUS /ˈskriːmɪŋ/
so extremely intense as to evoke screams
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
sharknounUS /ʃɑːrk/
any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
shark's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
spectatorsnounUS /ˈspekteɪtərz/
plural of “spectator” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
splashverbUS /splæʃ/
cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
sweepsnounUS /swiːps/
plural of “sweep” — a wide scope
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a rush, a splash, then a piercing shriek, the shark made off with a leg and the sea around the mutilated man became dyed a ruddy hue.
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 And now his back fin could be plainly seen above the water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nearer and nearer came the shark, swimming leisurely, as though debating on which spot he should first strike his victim.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
which person or people
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The slaves looked on with apathy, maintaining the while the motions of the sweeps with monotonous regularity.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The spectators on the vessel, who had gathered on the stern to see the sport, were shouting and screaming in their excitement, some even making bets as to what part of the man’s body would be chosen for the shark’s first bite.
