used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
anew
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
(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 ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
ALONEadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
on or to one side
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
battlingverbUS /ˈbætəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
broadsidenounUS /ˈbrɔːdsaɪd/
an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
BumpingverbUS /ˈbʌmpɪŋ/
-ing form of “bump” — knock against with force or violence
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
put or send forth
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
crashedverbUS /kræʃt/
past form of “crash” — fall or come down violently
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
an old word for “before”
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
the organ of sight
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
flounderingverbUS /ˈflaʊndərɪŋ/
-ing form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
footholdnounUS /ˈfʊthoʊld/
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
franticallyadverbUS /ˈfræntəkəli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
obtain
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
half-breednoun
an offensive term for an offspring of parents of different racial group (especially of Caucasian and American Indian ancestry)
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
jaggedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒæɡəd/
having a sharply uneven surface or outline
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
lungsnounUS /lʌŋz/
plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
paddleverbUS /ˈpædəl/
propel with a paddle
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
with speed
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
sickeninglyadverb
in a disgusting manner or to a disgusting degree
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
possessing sweep
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
swervedverbUS /swɜːrvd/
past form of “swerve” — turn sharply; change direction abruptly
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
swirlingverbUS /ˈswɜːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
having come into contact
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading I turned quickly at a sudden cry from Joe—my half-breed guide—in time to see him cast the handle of his broken paddle aside and leap forward for the extra paddle.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
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 Before he could reach it the canoe swerved, swung broadside to the rushing current, crashed sickeningly against the jagged rocks, and the next instant I was floundering about in the icy, swirling water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
WILDERNESSnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS It all happened in the twinkling of an eye.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bumping against rocks, struggling for breath, battling frantically with the torrent, I was swept down the river.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Time and again my feet touched bottom, but each time, ere I could gain a foothold, I was drawn under, and each second I realized that my strength was growing less, that my lungs were bursting for air, and that in a few more moments all would be over.
