used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
eagerly desirous
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
beam-endsnoun
(nautical) at the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
beesnounUS /biːz/
plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
cruisersnounUS /ˈkruːzərz/
plural of “cruiser” — a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
foam-crested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
set up or found
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
highest in quality
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
heavingnounUS /ˈhiːvɪŋ/
an upward movement (especially a rhythmical rising and falling)
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
HerbnounUS /ɜːrb/
a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
a small worthless amount
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
go away from a place
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
levernounUS /ˈlevər/
a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
manipulatingverbUS /məˈnɪpjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “manipulate” — influence or control shrewdly or deviously
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
motorsnounUS /ˈmoʊtərz/
plural of “motor” — machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
PERILnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
propellersnounUS /prəˈpelərz/
plural of “propeller” — a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
RIDESnounUS /raɪdz/
plural of “ride” — a journey in a vehicle (usually an automobile)
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
sidewaysadverbUS /ˈsaɪdweɪz/
with one side forward or to the front
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
in or at that place or location
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
threatenverbUS /ˈθretən/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
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 PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
at the time that
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed.
in or at the place that
From this reading This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So long as they could keep the boats' bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
