used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VISITATION My agitations were harshly interrupted.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
agitations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VISITATION My agitations were harshly interrupted.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
lacking funds
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
clamourverbUS /ˈklæmər/
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
coilnounUS /kɔɪl/
a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
dizzyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪzi/
having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
divisible by two
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
the act of departing
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
grindingnounUS /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/
material resulting from the process of grinding
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
harshlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrʃli/
in a harsh or unkind manner
From this reading A VISITATION My agitations were harshly interrupted.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
provoking horror
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
be the source of pain
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading A VISITATION My agitations were harshly interrupted.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
staying power
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
luckilyadverbUS /ˈlʌkəli/
by good fortune
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
used to form the superlative
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A VISITATION My agitations were harshly interrupted.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
not any; not one
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
and nothing more
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
rappedverbUS /ræpt/
inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
realising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
a strong line
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
only a very short time before
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
screamingadjectiveUS /ˈskriːmɪŋ/
so extremely intense as to evoke screams
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
transport commercially
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
skullnounUS /skʌl/
the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
smartlyadverbUS /ˈsmɑːrtli/
in a clever manner
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
thicknessnounUS /ˈθɪknəs/
the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
VISITATIONnounUS /ˌvɪzɪˈteɪʃən/
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
From this reading A VISITATION My agitations were harshly interrupted.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading But I rapped my head smartly against the wall of the passage--never had I more reason in my life to be grateful for the thickness of my skull--and for a few moments I lay there in the darkness, dizzy--indeed, almost stunned--and scarcely realising that there was the most horrible grinding noise going on beneath me, and that the ship seemed to be screaming in every timber.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A VISITATION My agitations were harshly interrupted.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There came a crash out of the silence, and before I could even ask myself what it meant I was flung forward and my legs were taken from under me.
at the time that
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I could have only lain there for a few seconds, for no human clamour had mingled with the sound of the ship's agony when I staggered to my feet.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading I pitched on to a coil of rope, luckily for me, or I might have come to worse hurt, and I had my hands extended, which in a measure broke the force of my fall.
